Yushau A. Shuaib, the founder of PRNigeria, has issued a formal pre-action notice to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), demanding his immediate reinstatement into the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47).

In the legal notice signed by his lawyer on Monday, Shuaib, a public relations expert, is also demanding a compensation of N1 billion for alleged reputational damage, emotional trauma, and financial losses resulting from what he described as a wrongful withdrawal from the elite training programme.

The letter was addressed to Ayo Omotayo, the director general of NIPSS.

It outlined a string of alleged infractions by the institute, including cyberstalking, unlawful access to private communications, and “baseless” disciplinary measures, which Shuaib’s legal team claims were aimed at humiliating and ejecting him from the programme under false pretences.

Shuaib, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), was nominated and admitted to SEC 47 earlier this year.

However, the relationship between him and the institute reportedly soured after he was served two queries over articles allegedly linked to him.

His legal representatives argued that the articles were independently disseminated by other media outlets and contained no classified or confidential information.

NIPSS said Shuaib was suspended because he would not allow himself to be subjected to the rules of the institute.

Last week, the institute approved the recommendation of a disciplinary committee to expel Shuaib, citing “misconduct and disregard for constituted authorities.”

Shuaib’s legal team denounced what it called a “fault-finding voyage” by the institute, alleging that NIPSS had violated Shuaib’s digital privacy in an attempt to fabricate misconduct.

“The Institute’s actions constitute a flagrant violation of digital privacy and a breach of constitutional rights under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution,” the letter stated.

It further described the queries and withdrawal process as malicious, unfounded, and driven by “sheer institutional malice.”

The legal notice issued to NIPSS gave the institution a 14-day ultimatum to comply with specific demands concerning Shuaib.

These include the formal and unconditional withdrawal of all disciplinary actions taken against him, as well as a written apology addressed to him and copied to the NIPR.

The notice further demanded Shuaib’s immediate reinstatement into the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, with full privileges restored—particularly access to international study tours.

It also sought a compensation of N1 billion for what was described as reputational, emotional, and financial harm caused by the institute’s actions.

The letter warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated timeframe would result in the initiation of legal proceedings, including claims for aggravated damages and declaratory relief.

The case, if pursued, could raise critical questions around digital rights, institutional accountability, and freedom of expression within Nigeria’s premier policy think tank.

NIPSS is yet to officially respond to the allegations.