ACPPN holds protocol congress, AGM
The Association of Certified Protocol practitioners in Nigeria, ACPPN has held its 2026 Protocol Congress. The event, which held recently at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, was themed “Protocol
The Association of Certified Protocol practitioners in Nigeria, ACPPN has held its 2026 Protocol Congress.
The event, which held recently at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, was themed “Protocol Practice as a Catalyst for Effective service delivery in Nigeria: Advancing Excellence across Public Administration, Corporate Institutions, Diplomacy, and Technology.”
The well attended event featured keynote addresses, goodwill messages, panel discussions, strategic engagements, collaborations.
Delivering his opening remark, the ACPPN president, Michael Ikinbor welcomed all to the august occasion, stating that “Our gathering is not merely ceremonial; it is purposeful. It reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the systems and practices that enable effective interaction within and across institutions.”
He added that protocol across public administration “reinforces procedural integrity and institutional discipline. Within corporate environments, it enhances credibility, fosters trust, and supports sustainable partnerships. In the realm of diplomacy, it safeguards national image and facilitates constructive engagement among other actors.”
The chairman of the ACPPN board of trustees, Amb. Akin Oyateru represented by Amb. Shefiu Olukayode Olaniyan in his opening address, said: “This is an association of professionals committed to excellence through adherence to the fundamental tenets of protocol practice...”
He said “the congress is the flagship of the ACPPN bringing together government officials, diplomats, corporate leaders, administrators and protocol practitioners for high level discussions on the role of protocol in enhancing effective service delivery across the sectors.”
He defined protocol as “a set of rules prescribing good manners in official life and ceremonies that have over time come to be accepted as diplomatic and official culture.”
A prominent figure in the field of protocol and public service in Nigeria, Amb. Tunde Sodipo, delivering the address of the keynote speaker, Major General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), said the General viewed the ACPPN as “not just a professional association but as a vital custodian of Nigeria's national image.”
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Notably, he told the audience made up of distinguished protocol practitioners that “service delivery “in diplomacy is the ability of a nation to achieve its foreign policy objectives”, adding that if protocol is broken, then diplomacy is bruised.”
Speaking on the theme, he said: “To attract technology and corporate investment mentioned in your theme, Nigeria must present an environment of predictable order. Investors do not just look at our laws: they look at our systems.”
He thus charged participants: “Do not let the tools outpace the craft… whether you are using AI to manage guests lists or digital encryption for diplomatic sensitive data, the core must remain the same: Incorruptible professionalism. In diplomacy, there is no “undo” button for a public breach of protocol. Excellence must be your default setting.”
A member of the board of trustees and group CEO of Century Group, Ken Etete, while delivering his goodwill message, corroborated the General, when he said: “when protocol is weak, systems struggle. And when systems struggle, people suffer… Protocol may sound small but it is not small. It is the difference between movement and delay.”
The event ended with an AGM and induction of new members.
