Diplomats, protocol practitioners, and corporate leaders have identified protocol practice as a critical driver of effective service delivery and institutional efficiency across public and private sectors.
They made this known at the 2026 Annual Congress of the Association of Certified Protocol Practitioners of Nigeria (ACPPN), where participants emphasized that protocol, when properly applied, goes beyond ceremonial functions to strengthen governance systems, enhance professionalism across institutions, and improve coordination in both public and private sectors.
The congress, which focused on the theme, “Protocol Practice as a Catalyst for Effective Service Delivery in Nigeria,” highlighted its relevance across public administration, corporate institutions, diplomacy, and technology.
In his remarks, ACPPN Executive President, Ikinbor Michael, described protocol as a foundational element in institutional effectiveness, stressing that it is “not ornamental, not peripheral; it is foundational,” but rather central to ensuring order, coherence, and professionalism across systems.
He noted that in public administration, protocol reinforces procedural integrity and institutional discipline, while in corporate environments it fosters credibility and trust, adding that in diplomacy, it safeguards national image and facilitates constructive engagement among states.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ACPPN, Ambassador Akin Oyateru, represented by Ambassador Safiu Olaniyan, said the association was established to promote best practices and raise standards to international levels, emphasizing that protocol embodies a set of rules prescribing good manners in official life and ceremonies that support orderly interactions and effective outcomes.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of former Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), Ambassador Tunde Sodipo underscored the strategic importance of protocol in international relations, describing it as “the first language of diplomacy,” and warning that breaches in protocol could undermine engagements and outcomes.
He added that effective service delivery in diplomacy depends on adherence to established standards, noting that well-executed protocol signals stability, competence, and reliability to global partners and investors.
Speaking, Group Chief Executive Officer of Century Group, Ken Etete, highlighted the role of structure and discipline in improving systems.
“When protocol is weak, systems struggle, and when systems struggle, people suffer,” he said.
Etete identified clarity, consistency, and accountability as essential pillars for strengthening institutions, stressing that clearly defined processes, predictable systems, and responsibility for outcomes are key to achieving efficiency and building trust.
Further examining the role of protocol in shaping behavior, systems, and institutional performance, Founder of Poise Nigeria, Mavi Isibor, said protocol must be enforced, measured, and rewarded to be effective, stressing that systems must be consistently applied across institutions.
She noted that the existence of standard operating procedures alone is not sufficient if they are not implemented, adding that protocol requires structure, discipline, and accountability to function properly.
She further emphasized the role of leadership in shaping compliance with protocol, stating that authority must adhere to established systems to drive consistency.
“Power must be seen to be obeying the system it created,” she said, warning that when leaders bypass procedures, it weakens adherence and makes protocol appear optional within institutions.
Also, Ambassador Olaniyan highlighted the centrality of order and knowledge in protocol practice, explaining that adherence to established standards ensures effective coordination and successful outcomes across engagements.
Also speaking, Founder of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ambassador Ikechi Uko stressed the importance of accountability and system-based practices, while Steve Onwuka, representing the ECOWAS Commission, described protocol as a unifying framework that supports coordination across institutions and sectors.
According to him, “protocol is the glue” that holds systems together.
Ambassador Tunde Sodipo further noted that protocol practice requires knowledge, preparation, and coordination, adding that practitioners must demonstrate competence, confidence, and the ability to manage complex engagements effectively.
