FG ASSURES WORLD OF NIGERIA’S READINESS TO HOST GLOBAL PR FORUM
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government has assured the international community of Nigeria’s readiness to host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), with delegates from more than 126 countries expected to participate in the global event scheduled for November 15–22 in Abuja.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance on Wednesday during a world press conference in Abuja, declaring that Nigeria was fully prepared to welcome the global public relations community.
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Chief Host, the Forum is expected to attract representatives of leading international institutions, including the United Nations, World Bank, African Union and European Commission.
Idris described the event as a major opportunity for Nigeria to showcase its organisational capacity, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to shaping the future of global communication.
He expressed appreciation to the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and the African Public Relations Association (APRA) for selecting Nigeria to host the global forum alongside the continental gathering.
According to him, Nigeria is the first country in West Africa and the second in Africa to host the World Public Relations Forum.
“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and particularly His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who is the Chief Host of the historic 2026 World Public Relations Forum, I wish to express our profound appreciation to the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and the African Public Relations Association for the confidence reposed in Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” the Minister noted that the rapid evolution of digital platforms, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies had created new challenges for information management, particularly misinformation, disinformation and declining public trust.
He therefore charged public relations practitioners to uphold truth, accuracy, transparency, professionalism and ethical standards in their engagements.
Idris stressed that the responsibility of communication professionals must extend beyond reputation management and institutional promotion to protecting the public interest and strengthening confidence in information.
He also highlighted the Federal Government’s support for establishing the UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja, describing the initiative as a strategic effort to equip Nigerians, particularly young people, with the skills to identify misleading information and navigate the digital environment responsibly.
The Minister further emphasised that government communication should be a two-way process involving not only the explanation of policies and programmes but also listening to citizens, addressing their concerns and providing credible information.
He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation was working with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and other relevant institutions to ensure effective coordination of protocol, security, logistics, hospitality and stakeholder engagement ahead of the event.
Welcoming prospective participants, Idris urged international delegates to experience Nigeria’s cultural heritage, hospitality and economic opportunities.
“The 2026 World Public Relations Forum is an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its capacity, strengthen its international partnerships, and help shape the future of responsible communication. We are ready, our doors are open, our people are welcoming, and the Federal Government stands firmly behind this important undertaking,” he declared.
Earlier, NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, commended the Minister for his support during Nigeria’s successful bid and preparations for the international gathering.
Neliaku recalled that Idris had charged the Nigerian team to secure the hosting right, noting that the Minister’s directive provided the impetus for the successful campaign.
“You said, ‘Go, don’t come back without result.’ You gave us that marching order, and we made sure that we started it from there,” he recalled.
Similarly, the Secretary-General of APRA, Dr Omoniyi P. Ibietan, described Nigeria’s hosting of the WPRF alongside the 37th APRA Conference as a historic opportunity for Africa to strengthen its collective voice and influence global communication discourse.
He said the gathering would provide an important platform for the continent to articulate common positions on emerging communication issues.
“We want to speak with one voice as a continent,” Ibietan stated.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Professor Justin Green, disclosed that more than 126 countries were expected to attend, alongside representatives of major international institutions.
Green commended President Tinubu and Minister Idris for their support, describing the Minister’s commitment as instrumental to bringing the global event to Nigeria.
“Your minister, your minister, because without him, this event would not be happening,” he said.
The press conference was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem C. Ukaire; Directors Barr. Henshaw Ogubike, Mr Ibidapo Okunnu and Dr Suleiman Haruna.
Others included the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo; and Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Bulama, alongside other senior government officials and NIPR members.
The 2026 World Public Relations Forum is expected to bring together communication experts, policymakers, academics, business leaders and institutional representatives from across the world to deliberate on responsible communication and the changing dynamics of the global information environment.
Cover Photo Caption: The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, fnipr, joined the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr; President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Prof. Justin Green; the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire, FWACS; and other dignitaries to address the media on preparations for the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum, during a press conference on November 11, 2026, in Abuja.
Photo: Khalid Ahmed/FMINO.
