By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has assured the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management of its full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) in Abuja.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when he received the President and Chairman of Council of the NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance, Professor Justin Green, on a courtesy visit ahead of the November forum.
Idris said Nigeria’s successful bid to host the WPRF, alongside the first UNESCO Category-2 Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), demonstrated growing international confidence in the country’s capacity to convene major global institutions and discussions.
He said preparations for the forum were already underway and assured the organizers that the Federal Government would provide the necessary support to ensure a successful event.
“Nothing will be left undone to ensure the successful hosting of the World Public Relations Forum here in November. We are all getting prepared, and the expectation will be surpassed,” the minister said.
Neliaku said Nigeria’s bid to host the forum began in 2024 when he approached Green during the World Public Relations Forum in Bali, Indonesia, to express the country’s interest in hosting the 2026 edition.
He said the bid subsequently received strong government backing and was pursued through collaboration among the NIPR, African Public Relations Association (APRA) and Global Alliance.
According to him, the 2026 forum will feature the Abuja Declaration, which is expected to provide a new framework for responsible communication and the future of the public relations profession.
Neliaku also announced plans for the establishment of a University of Public Relations and Leadership in Nigeria.
“The Abuja Declaration is coming alive in Nigeria, providing a new opportunity to shape the future of public relations and communication for the next decade,” he said.
Green thanked Idris and the Federal Government for their support, describing it as instrumental to the successful hosting of the forum in Nigeria.
He said more than 3,000 delegates from 126 countries were expected to attend the event, describing it as an opportunity for Nigeria to engage the global communication community and present its story to the world.
The 2026 WPRF, themed “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” is scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, alongside the 37th African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference.
The forum is expected to bring together public relations and communication professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders from across the world to discuss the future of responsible communication.
Among those present at the meeting were the Director, Production, Publication and Documentary, Ibidapo Okunnu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation; Special Assistant (Administration), Dr. Sunday Baba; Director, Public Relations and Protocol and Chairman, National Planning Committee of the WPRF, Dr. Suleiman Haruna; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Nze Dili Ezughah; Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; and Vice President, NIPR, Professor Emmanuel S. Dandaura.
Others included APRA Secretary-General, Dr. Omoniyi Ibienitan; Director-General, Strategic Communication and Events Management and Co-Chairman, National Planning Committee of the WPRF, Mallam Yakubu Lamai; and other officials and dignitaries.
