Akpandem James is a perception and image management consultant, researcher and author.
He attended St. Gregory’s RCM School in Agbokim Waterfalls, Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Calabar, Salvation Army Secondary School in Akai Ubium, The Polytechnic in Calabar, the University of Uyo, the University of Liverpool in the UK, and Bingham University in Karu.
He has worked at various times with Mercantile Bank Limited, Concord Newspapers, Punch Newspapers, and Independent Newspapers. He served as one of the six principal officers at Nigeria’s 2014 National Conference, where he oversaw Media and Communications.
He has served as the Chairman of Solution Logistics Limited and as the Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning from 2016 to 2019. Additionally, he has held the position of Lead Consultant at Perception Logistics Limited. He has worked as a consultant for both the United Nations Development Project and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
James is the author of Memories of Yesteryears (2016); Echoes of the Traditional Society (2017); The Baba-Rabi Story: A Story of Love and Giving (2021) and The Road Travelled (2024). He is the co-author of The National Conversation, Interests and Intrigues that shaped the 2014 National Conference (2022) and Alaibe: Character, Charisma and Integrity – Essays in honour of Chief Timi Alaibe at 60 (2022). He edited the 2014 National Conference photo book and For a Better Society, a compilation of editorials published by Naija Times Newspaper between 2020 and 2023. Additionally, he published four compendiums detailing the activities of the 2014 National Conference and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning from 2016 to 2019.
He has seven research publications in local and international peer-reviewed academic journals, as well as chapters in four reference books, including “The New Media and Communication Education in Nigeria: The Infrastructure Perspective.”
In the book: Critical issues in Public Relations and Communication, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Book Series (2012), ‘The force behind the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan’. A chapter in the book: Osinbajo Strides: Defining Moments of an Innovative Leader (2023), ‘Multi-layered Dysfunctional State of Ethics in Corporate Nigeria: Exploring a Fix in Cultural Relations Ligament. In the book: Readings in Diplomacy, Democracy, Peace and Development: A Festschrift for Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Spectrum Books (2023), Ethical Corporate Communication and Business Productivity in Nigeria: The Nexus. In the book: Contemporary Issues in Changing Business Scenarios. Journal Press, India (2024).
He has authored over 250 articles and commentaries in various newspapers, magazines and specialized/corporate journals.
James is a member of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE), Fellow of the West African Society for Communication and Administration (FSCA), Member, Nigeria Union of Journalists (MNUJ), Associate Member of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (MNIPR), Member of the International Biographical Centre (IBC), Cambridge, Uk; Member of the United Nations Association in Nigeria (UNAN) and Member of the International Communication Association (ICA).
