Nigeria to host 2026 world public relations forum, first in West Africa
Nigeria is set to take a leading role in global public relations as it prepares to host the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) in Abuja in November 2026.
SolaceBase reports that the event will make Nigeria the first West African country to welcome PR professionals from around the world, with delegates from over 100 countries expected.
President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, announced this during the 5th National Conference of Public Relations Professionals in Tertiary Institutions, held at Bayero University Kano (BUK).
Dr. Neliaku said the forum provides a platform for Nigeria to showcase its expertise in strategic communication and institutional storytelling.
He urged universities and other institutions to prepare for the event, noting that it offers a chance to demonstrate Nigeria’s capacity for professional excellence on a global stage.
“This is an important project. Nigerian institutions must be ready to highlight their strengths and engage with international partners,” Dr Neliaku said.
Speaking at the conference, Dr Muhammad Auwal Haruna of BUK’s Department of Mass Communication emphasized the role of youth and social media in shaping Nigeria’s narrative.
Read Also:BUK students seek strategic partnership with SolaceBase for media capacity building
He called on communicators to focus on positive stories that foster national unity and counter misinformation.
Representing BUK’s Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services) Professor Aliyu Mu’azu highlighted the university’s success in global rankings, crediting strong investment in communication and visibility.
“Public relations today is not just about publicity. It involves strategic thinking, crisis response, stakeholder engagement, and institutional storytelling,” he said.
Chairman of PR Professionals in Tertiary Institutions, Peter Oyeneye, encouraged delegates to network and exchange ideas.
He cited the late Professor Dora Akunyili as an example of how effective PR can build credibility and trust.
Director of Public Affairs at the Federal University, Dutse, in Jigawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Yahya Bello, described the conference as timely and relevant, noting that it provides an opportunity for professionals to upgrade their skills in information management.
“This program allows us to transform our institutions using modern public relations tools,” he said.
The three-day program is expected to produce recommendations on how Nigerian tertiary institutions can leverage public relations to improve visibility, attract partnerships, and support national development.
Comments are closed.