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PRNigeria Fellowship: Building a Career One Step at a Time
By Fashola Abayomi Olawalarami
As I sat in a classroom in Ilorin alongside nine other young communicators during the 2026 PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship, listening to Alhaji Yushau Shuaib dissect the evolving landscape of public relations and strategic communication, an unexpected thought crossed my mind.
This fellowship is not my destination.
It is another important milestone on a journey I began many years ago—a journey defined not by dramatic leaps, but by steady, deliberate steps towards becoming the communication professional I aspire to be.
Looking back, I realise that my interest in communication did not begin at university. It started much earlier.
If you met my Primary Six teacher today and asked what I wanted to become in the future, he would probably smile and tell you that I always spoke about a career related to Mass Communication. Even as a child, I was fascinated by the power of communication. I was intrigued by how individuals, organisations and institutions shaped public perception and how the right message, delivered at the right time, could completely transform a narrative.
That curiosity eventually led me to study Mass Communication at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
University gave me the theoretical foundation I needed. It introduced me to communication models, public relations theories, media ethics and strategic communication frameworks. But, as every graduate eventually discovers, the real classroom begins after graduation.
My first practical lesson came during my internship at Kwara State Television (KWTV), Ilorin.
For the first time, communication moved beyond textbooks into reality. Deadlines became real. Accuracy mattered. Every story had consequences. The pressure was intense, but rather than discouraging me, it confirmed that this was the environment where I belonged.
It was there I discovered that communication is not simply about speaking or writing well. It is about responsibility.
The next chapter unfolded during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, where I served as an Academic Administration and Documentation Officer at the Postgraduate College of the University of Ibadan.
Although the role was not directly within public relations, it taught me lessons that continue to shape my professional outlook. Documentation, organisation, attention to detail and administrative discipline are qualities that often operate quietly behind successful communication strategies.
One important lesson has remained with me throughout my career journey: every experience adds value, even when it appears unrelated to your ultimate destination.
As my passion for public relations grew stronger, I realised practical experience alone would not be enough. I wanted to belong to a professional community committed to ethics, continuous learning and excellence.
That desire led me to become an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (ANIPR).
Beginning with the Oyo State Chapter before transferring my membership to Kwara State after relocating to Ilorin, the Institute has become more than a professional association to me. It represents accountability, professional standards and a reminder that communication is both a discipline and a responsibility.
Today, I work with the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).
Again, it may not appear to be a conventional public relations position, but it has given me valuable insight into how public institutions function. It has taught me patience, policy implementation, organisational processes and the internal dynamics that shape public communication within government institutions.
Every role has contributed another layer to my professional development.
Like many young professionals, however, my journey has not been without setbacks.
I have submitted applications for public relations positions, strategic communication roles, business development opportunities in the FMCG sector, agency positions in Lagos, vacancies closer to home in Ibadan and Ilorin, opportunities in Kaduna and even remote positions with organisations across Africa.
Some applications received polite rejections.
Many received no response at all.
Along the way, I also learned another unfortunate reality facing today’s job seekers—how to identify fraudulent recruitment schemes masquerading as genuine employment opportunities.
Yet every application, every interview and every rejection has taught me something valuable about resilience, self-improvement and presenting myself more effectively.
Those experiences have not discouraged me.
They have refined me.
Looking ahead, I have become increasingly certain about the kind of communicator I want to become.
I do not simply want to practise public relations.
I want to build a career in strategic communication—the kind that helps organisations anticipate challenges, shape public perception, influence policy conversations and build lasting relationships before crises emerge.
Public relations should not merely be about repairing reputations after damage has occurred. Its greatest value lies in preventing crises through foresight, planning and purposeful communication.
The PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship has already strengthened that conviction.
Within just a few days, I have participated in sessions covering strategic communication, crisis management, digital public relations, message influence, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and the rapidly changing communication landscape.
Each lecture has reinforced one important truth.
Communication never stands still.
Anyone who hopes to remain relevant must be prepared to remain a lifelong learner.
That desire for continuous learning also explains my academic aspirations.
I intend to pursue a Master’s degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Public Relations and Advertising, whether at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University or, if the opportunity arises, internationally at institutions such as Lund University in Sweden.
For me, postgraduate education is not simply about acquiring another certificate.
It is about deepening my understanding of strategic communication and preparing myself for greater professional responsibilities.
Beyond academics, I also hope to contribute more actively to the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations—not merely as a dues-paying member, but as a professional committed to advancing the profession and mentoring younger communicators, just as this fellowship is mentoring me today.
Ultimately, I want to build a career defined not by job titles but by impact.
I want people to recognise me as someone who understands communication as strategy rather than noise; someone who uses communication to solve problems, build trust and inspire meaningful change.
Whether that future unfolds in a communication consultancy, a multinational organisation, a government institution or an opportunity I have not yet imagined, I remain open to wherever the journey leads, provided I continue to learn, grow and contribute.
When I reflect on my career progression, I no longer see isolated experiences at Ahmadu Bello University, KWTV, the University of Ibadan, Kwara TESCOM, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and now the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship.
I see stepping stones.
Each has brought me closer to becoming the communication strategist I aspire to be.
Two weeks from now, when this fellowship concludes, I know I will leave with more than certificates or lecture notes.
I will leave with fresh perspectives, stronger networks, renewed confidence and a clearer vision of the communication professional I am steadily becoming.
After all, meaningful careers are rarely built overnight.
They are built one deliberate step at a time.
Fashola Abayomi Olawalarami is a participant in the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship at the PRNigeria Ilorin Centre. He can be reached via [email protected]
