The Presidency has pledged its support for Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 Global Alliance World Public Relations Forum, scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 15 to 21.
The international event is expected to attract about 3,000 delegates from 126 member countries of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
The forum will be held under the theme, “Deepening Responsible Communications,” with organisers expected to use the event to promote responsible communication, professional collaboration and stronger global public relations standards.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the assurance of government support when he received members of the WPRF Abuja 2026 Planning Committee at the State House in Abuja.
The delegation was led by the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku.
The State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Abiodun Oladunjoye, disclosed details of the meeting in a statement issued on Thursday.
The forum is being organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Onanuga expressed delight that Nigeria had been selected to host the international gathering.
He said the event presented an opportunity for Nigerians to showcase the country’s culture, achievements and positive stories to an international audience.
The presidential adviser also criticised what he described as negative portrayals of Nigeria in some quarters, saying some narratives shared publicly could give foreigners a distorted perception of the country.
According to him, the conference provides an opportunity to present a more balanced picture of Nigeria to international visitors.
“This is a great opportunity for us to correct those things of concern to people. For me, I’ve seen the conference as something that will be good for our country, and it should be supported,” Onanuga said.
He urged Nigerians to act as good ambassadors of the country during the event.
NIPR President Ike Neliaku said Nigeria was the first African country to be granted hosting rights for the World Public Relations Forum.
He told Onanuga that the planning committee had visited the State House to seek the Presidency’s support for the event.
Neliaku said the forum would also provide an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to delegates from around the world.
He noted that the international forum had previously been hosted by countries including Mexico, India and Germany.
The choice of Abuja as the host city is therefore expected to place Nigeria at the centre of global discussions on public relations and strategic communication during the event.
One of the major features planned for the Abuja forum is a signing ceremony involving delegates from participating countries.
According to Neliaku, delegates will commit to an accord known as “The Abuja Declaration.”
The declaration is expected to form part of the outcomes of the conference and reflect the forum’s emphasis on responsible communications.
The event will bring together public relations professionals, communication experts, policymakers and other stakeholders from different parts of the world.
Neliaku also disclosed that Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to deliver the keynote address at the World Public Relations Forum.
President Bola Tinubu is also expected to receive a Lifetime Award of Excellence in Reforms during the event.
The proposed award and keynote address are expected to form part of the high-level activities surrounding the international conference.
The Chairman of the WPRF Abuja 2026 Planning Committee, Dr Suleiman Haruna, said preparations for the event were progressing.
He said the committee was working with media organisations and security agencies to ensure the successful hosting of the forum.
The collaboration is expected to cover media coverage, event communications and security arrangements for the large number of international delegates expected in Abuja.
Another member of the planning committee and Director-General of Strategic Communications to the Nasarawa State Government, Yakubu Lamai, said efforts were also being made to strengthen Nigeria’s public relations sector.
Lamai disclosed that the Nasarawa State Government was developing what he described as a world-class Public Relations University.
He said the initiative was part of efforts to build confidence among international counterparts and demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to developing professional communication capacity.
Renowned broadcaster and member of the planning committee, Moji Makanjuola, said the conference would be gender-inclusive.
She said women and persons with disabilities would be incorporated into the planning and execution of the event.
Makanjuola also appealed for continued support from the Presidency, stressing that hosting an international event of this scale was a national responsibility.
“We have to be ready as Nigerians to receive the world. It is a Nigerian thing, it is not for the Ministry,” she said.
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The 2026 World Public Relations Forum is expected to provide Nigeria with an opportunity to engage global communication professionals while showcasing its culture and public relations industry.
With thousands of delegates expected from more than 100 countries, the successful hosting of the event will require coordination among government agencies, private organisations, media institutions and security authorities.
The Presidency’s pledge of support is therefore expected to strengthen preparations as Nigeria moves towards the November conference.
The event will also place Abuja and Nigeria’s communication industry under international attention, with discussions expected to focus on responsible communication and the evolving role of public relations in society.
