INTI International University names Dr. Chike Duru Research Fellow‎

Achievers University don bags global fellowship for communication research excellence
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‎By Chioma Obinagwam
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‎Nigerian communication scholar and public relations authority, Dr. Chike Walter Duru, has been appointed a Research Fellow of INTI International University, Malaysia, Confiance News has learned.
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‎The appointment, which Confiance News gathered takes effect from May 19, 2026 and runs through December 31, 2028, recognises Dr. Duru’s contributions to strategic communication, media studies, governance, international development and communication research. It places him within an international network of scholars driving collaborative research and global academic engagement.
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‎According to the official appointment letter sighted by Confiance News and signed by INTI International University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Lee, the fellowship is designed to promote research excellence, strengthen institutional research standards and foster international scholarly collaboration.
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‎As a Research Fellow, Dr. Duru will take part in collaborative research projects, international conferences, research symposiums, postgraduate supervision, guest lectures, research consultancy, curriculum development and scholarly publications, Confiance News confirmed. The role also opens up research funding opportunities and institutional support for disseminating his research output.
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‎The appointment marks another milestone for one of Nigeria’s most accomplished strategic communication and development experts. Dr. Duru currently heads the Department of Mass Communication at Achievers University, Owo, where he blends academic leadership with practical experience spanning the public, private, humanitarian and international development sectors.
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‎With more than two decades of professional experience, he has built a reputation in strategic communication, governance reform, humanitarian response, media management, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and institutional capacity development.
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‎Confiance News understands that Dr. Duru until recently served as a Communication Expert with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Nigeria. He also previously led communications for the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project, a World Bank-supported national programme co-funded by the European Investment Bank and the French Development Agency.
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‎His consultancy record includes serving as Lead Communication and Advocacy Consultant on major donor-funded governance initiatives, among them the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme and the UK Department for International Development (DFID)-supported Justice for All (J4A) Programme. Sources close to the development say his work has significantly strengthened transparency, Freedom of Information implementation, justice sector reforms and citizen engagement.
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‎Dr. Duru also served as Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Governor of Imo State, where he led strategic government communication and public engagement initiatives. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of Nigeria’s Open Government Partnership (OGP) process, having co-chaired the Access to Information Working Group that advanced transparency and accountability reforms nationwide.
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‎In 2015, Duru was named among Nigeria’s leading media executives after being screened and selected among the top four percent of executives in the sector, an honour that came with an Award of Excellence presented by a business research and publication firm led by Harvard-trained American executive Elvis Krivokuca, Confiance News gathered.
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‎His academic career spans teaching and leadership roles at the American University of Nigeria, Yola; Prime University, Abuja; Madonna University; and now Achievers University, Owo. He has authored several textbooks, contributed chapters to scholarly publications and published more than fifty peer-reviewed journal articles on public relations, development communication, journalism, media studies, advertising and African communication systems.
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‎Reacting to the appointment, Dr. Duru described it as an important opportunity to deepen international research collaboration and contribute to knowledge production addressing contemporary communication and development challenges. He said the fellowship offers a strong platform for international academic collaboration, interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange, adding that he looks forward to working with colleagues at INTI International University on research that advances communication scholarship and sustainable development.
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‎Colleagues and associates who spoke with Confiance News described the appointment as well-deserved recognition of Dr. Duru’s longstanding contributions to scholarship, policy development, governance reforms and strategic communication practice across Africa.
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‎Observers say the fellowship further boosts the international profile of Achievers University, Owo, and reflects the growing global recognition of Nigerian scholars making significant contributions to research, innovation and development.
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‎Dr. Duru holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Uyo, a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Imo State University, Owerri. He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), and the Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).
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