By Fatima Saka
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, with the Federal Government and organisers describing the gathering as a major opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s global profile and shape international conversations on responsible communication.
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, where it solicited the support and participation of foreign missions for the successful hosting of the global event.
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). The official WPRF platform confirms that the main event will hold at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja from November 16 to 21, with November 15 designated for pre-event activities.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the briefing, the Ministry’s spokesperson Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa welcomed the initiative and stressed the importance of engaging the diplomatic community in preparations for the international gathering.
The Ministry said its participation was informed by the strategic role of diplomacy and communication in strengthening relations between Nigeria and other countries.
It 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.
According to the Ministry, 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.
The Ministry expressed appreciation to members of the diplomatic corps for attending the briefing, describing their presence as a demonstration of the cordial relations existing between Nigeria and their respective countries and organisations.
It 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.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry further explained that the diplomatic briefing was designed to enable the NIPR to formally present its plans, objectives and expected outcomes for the forum while soliciting the support, participation and involvement of foreign governments and organisations.
The Ministry emphasised that the success of the event would depend on effective collaboration among the Nigerian government, the diplomatic community, international organisations and the professional communication sector.
The President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku, described the WPRF as a national project, stressing that the event was no longer an affair of the professional institute alone after Nigeria secured the hosting rights.
He said 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.
“This is a Nigerian project. It is far beyond the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations,” he said, adding that the NIPR’s role was initially to bid for the hosting rights, but that securing the rights transformed the event into a national undertaking.
He urged the diplomatic community to support Nigeria in delivering what he described as a successful and impactful World Public Relations Forum.
Neliaku 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 said 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.
He explained that the initiative was designed to move discussions beyond professionals within the public relations industry and create a platform where policymakers and those who rely on communication expertise could jointly develop solutions.
The outcome, he said, would contribute to the Abuja Declaration on Responsible Communication, which is expected to provide recommendations capable of shaping the global communication agenda for the next decade.
According to him, the forum would examine how communication could be better deployed to promote peace, development, good governance, trust and sustainable relationships.
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 said APRA, which has operated for about 50 years, had consistently promoted the central role of communication in organising society and advancing development across Africa.
He described the November 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.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s historic contribution to public relations, noting that the NIPR was established in 1963 and later became the first public relations institute globally to be chartered.
Ibietan said responsible communication would be examined through sub-themes including self-regulation and media and information literacy.
He noted that the explosion of digital platforms had fundamentally transformed the information environment, with virtually anyone with internet access now able to publish information capable of reaching a global audience.
According to him, the world has moved from earlier concerns about balanced information flows to an era of overwhelming information, making media literacy and individual responsibility increasingly important.
He said participants would therefore examine how individuals, institutions and communication professionals could regulate themselves and develop the capacity to properly interpret information consumed daily.
The theme of the forum is particularly relevant to current global challenges involving misinformation, declining institutional trust, social fragmentation and harmful communication. The Global Alliance has also positioned responsible communication as a means of promoting trust, ethical leadership, inclusion and sustainable development.
37th APRA Conference to Hold Concurrently
The WPRF will be held concurrently with the 37th African Public Relations Association Conference, creating a major convergence of global and African communication professionals.
Neliaku said the three principal partners are the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, APRA and NIPR.
The Global Alliance provides the international platform for public relations and communication professionals, APRA serves as the continental umbrella body, while NIPR is the host national association.
The Chairman of the National Planning Committee’s Diplomatic Work Team, Dr Suleyman Aruna, said the programme had been designed as a week-long festival of communication, learning, networking and cultural engagement.
Formal activities will include presentations, speeches, panel discussions, workshops and masterclasses, while exhibitions will provide countries and organisations with opportunities to showcase their products, services and identities.
Other activities include the African Ministers of Information Roundtable, Global Youth Public Relations Summit, World Public Relations Awards and the unveiling of a Global Alliance publication on responsible communication.
The official WPRF programme also lists cultural showcases, youth engagement and networking activities among the major components of the gathering.
Nigeria to Showcase Culture, Cuisine and Hospitality
The organisers have incorporated several cultural activities aimed at giving international delegates an immersive Nigerian experience.
These include the WPRF Experience Zone, where delegates will experience Nigerian food, cultural displays and dances.
A seven-hour tailoring pavilion will also provide international visitors with opportunities to have African attire made for them, while the Nigeria Jollof Rice Festival is expected to feed about 10,000 people as part of the forum’s corporate social responsibility initiative.
The programme will also feature exhibitions and other activities designed to project Nigeria’s creative industries, culture and hospitality.
Aruna said security remained a priority, with a security team headed by a retired Commissioner of Police in the FCT and comprising representatives of various security agencies.
He disclosed that security sweeps had already been conducted at the venue and Abuja airport, with further measures expected throughout the event.
Accommodation and transportation arrangements have also been made for international delegates, with hotels across different categories available to participants.
The organisers said registration is open to public relations professionals, young practitioners, students, global leaders and other relevant participants.
The organisers appealed to diplomatic missions to mobilise government spokespersons, communication experts, public relations practitioners and global leaders from their respective countries.
They also urged embassies to indicate interest in exhibition spaces, attend the opening ceremony and sponsor delegates, particularly students and persons with disabilities.
For international participants, the organisers have provided visa and hotel information through the official WPRF platform.
Fire Guts Six Shops at Aswani Mechanic Village, Lagos
The official WPRF website confirms that the event will hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, with the Transcorp Hilton serving as the main venue for the core programme.
The forum is ultimately expected to position responsible communication as a tool for peace, development, trust, social cohesion and global understanding, while giving Nigeria a major platform to showcase its diplomatic, cultural and professional capabilities to the world.
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