ABUJA/Nigeria: The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has been named Global Public Relations Association of the Year at the 2025 World Public Relations and Communication Awards, a prestigious international honour organised by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
The announcement was made on February 19, 2026, in Lisbon after a rigorous selection process that drew 89 entries from 19 countries, highlighting intense global competition among professional communication bodies.
The award recognises NIPR’s performance in professional regulation, enforcement of ethical standards, reputation governance, strategic communication advocacy and its reform-oriented initiatives aimed at repositioning public relations as a driver of national development.
Reacting to the recognition, Acting President Emmanuel Samu Dandaura described the honour as a global endorsement of Nigeria’s growing influence in strategic communication. He said the award demonstrates that institutional discipline and reform can elevate professional credibility internationally.
“This is not just a trophy. It is evidence that disciplined reform and institutional courage yield results. Nigeria is no longer observing global reputation conversations from the sidelines — we are influencing them,” he stated.
Dandaura also commended NIPR President Ike Neliaku for what he called visionary leadership that has strengthened the Institute’s national relevance and international visibility. He further congratulated Chain Reactions, an NIPR member agency, for winning the Internal Communication Campaign category with its “Next Era of Happiness: Managing Change and Employee” project.
He acknowledged the contributions of former leaders who established the Institute’s institutional framework, current governing council members sustaining reform momentum, and emerging professionals across the country who, he said, represent the future of strategic communication in Nigeria.
The Global Alliance Awards honour innovation, ethical practice, professional advancement and measurable impact in public relations worldwide, recognising organisations that shape communication standards across industries and regions.
Organisers announced that formal presentation of the trophies will take place during the World Public Relations Forum 2026 scheduled for November 15 to 21 in Abuja, where industry leaders from across the globe are expected to converge.
