Nigeria is set to host about 3,000 delegates from 126 countries at the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), scheduled for November 15 to 21 in Abuja.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) disclosed this during a high-level briefing with members of the diplomatic community at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday in Abuja.
The forum, themed “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” is being organised by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and hosted by the NIPR, in partnership with the African Public Relations Association (APRA).
Spokesperson to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa noted that the Ministry, as the primary custodian of Nigeria’s external engagement, places significant value on platforms that provide opportunities to deepen mutual understanding, foster collaboration and demonstrate Nigeria’s growing capacity to host major international events.
Ebienfa added that, the decision to host the WPRF in Abuja speaks directly to Nigeria’s expanding global profile, not only as a country with enormous human and economic potential, but also as a credible and reliable partner in the international community.
Consequently, he said the confidence placed in Nigeria to host the forum, and by extension in the NIPR, by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management was significant and should be collectively utilised to project Nigeria positively to the international community.
On his part, President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, described the WPRF as a national project while stating that the diplomatic community was an important stakeholder because diplomats are engaged in building, managing and sustaining relationships between nations.
Neliaku said the briefing was also intended to equip diplomatic missions with relevant information to respond to enquiries from their citizens who may wish to attend the forum.
He urged the diplomatic community to support Nigeria in delivering what he described as a successful and impactful World Public Relations Forum Africans & Diaspora
He said the event would bring together global thought leaders, policymakers, professional icons and experts from business, governance, politics, commerce, academia, technology, military and security, faith, culture, civil society, youth organisations and other sectors.
He also informed that about 3,000 delegates from 126 countries were expected to participate, making the forum one of the largest global gatherings of public relations and strategic communication professionals.
The event is expected to feature representatives of international organisations, including the United Nations, World Bank, UNESCO, Interpol and other global institutions.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Chief Host, while President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia is expected to deliver the presidential keynote address. The official WPRF platform confirms both roles.
Neliaku said one of the major distinguishing features of the 2026 forum would be a Global Solution-Policy Interface, which would bring communication professionals into direct engagement with policymakers and major users of communication services.
The Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, said APRA had fully supported Nigeria’s bid to host the WPRF and the 37th APRA Conference.
Ibietan described the upcoming event as both a professional and cultural ambassadorial gathering, through which Nigeria would showcase its achievements, heritage and growing influence in public relations and communication management.
He said the forum would provide an opportunity to redefine the kind of communication required to address emerging global challenges over the next decade.
Ibietan disclosed that an African Declaration on Public Relations and the Professionalisation of Public Relations would also be launched and signed during the event.
He described the proposed declaration as significant, noting that Africa had not previously had such a document dedicated to the professionalisation of the public relations profession.
