ABUJA/Nigeria: Nigeria is set to take centre stage in global communication discourse as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been confirmed as Chief Host of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), with Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the high-profile event in Abuja.
The announcement, made by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, signals strong continental backing for the forum, which is expected to attract participants from over 126 countries for a week-long engagement on strategic communication.
In a statement issued in Portugal, the Global Alliance President, Justin Green, described the involvement of two African heads of state as a defining moment for the continent, reflecting its readiness to host what he termed the “biggest, brightest and boldest” gathering in the global public relations space.
He also confirmed that the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming, and INTERPOL’s Director of Communications, Samuel Heath, would participate as speakers during the event.
According to Green, the forum—scheduled for November 15 to 21—will focus on the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” a concept he said aligns with ongoing advocacy for the recognition of responsible communication as a distinct Sustainable Development Goal.
He noted that the Global Alliance is committed to supporting Nigeria in delivering a landmark event that will shape global conversations around ethical and impactful communication.
Reacting to the development, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, said preparations were in top gear, with collaboration across African public relations bodies to ensure the continent presents a distinctive and high-quality forum.
Neliaku added that the partnership with the African Public Relations Association (APRA) and other stakeholders underscores a shared ambition to reposition Africa as a major contributor to global communication standards and practice.
The Abuja forum is expected to draw communication professionals, policymakers and global institutions, positioning Nigeria as a focal point for discussions on responsible communication and its role in sustainable development.
