The Federal Government has pledged full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, WPRF, in Abuja.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when the President and Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Professor Justin Green, paid him a courtesy visit.
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The Minister said Nigeria’s successful bid to host the WPRF, alongside the first UNESCO Category-2 Media and Information Literacy Institute, reflected growing international confidence in the country’s capacity to host major global institutions and conversations.
Mohammed Idris assured the organisers that the Federal Government would provide the necessary support for the forum, saying preparations were already underway to ensure a successful event that would showcase Nigeria’s capacity, hospitality and leadership in Africa.
Dr Neliaku said Nigeria’s bid to host the forum began in 2024 following discussions with Professor Green during the World Public Relations Forum in Bali, Indonesia, and was subsequently pursued through the NIPR, African Public Relations Association and Global Alliance.
He disclosed that the 2026 forum would feature the Abuja Declaration, which is expected to provide a framework for responsible communication and the future direction of the public relations profession.
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Neliaku also announced plans for the establishment of a University of Public Relations and Leadership in Nigeria, describing the Abuja Declaration as an opportunity to shape the future of public relations and communication over the next decade.
Professor Green thanked the Federal Government for its support, saying the collaboration had been instrumental to bringing the global public relations forum to Nigeria.
He disclosed that more than 3,000 delegates from 126 countries were expected at the forum, describing it as an opportunity for Nigeria to engage the global communication community.
The 2026 World Public Relations Forum, themed “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” is scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 15 to 21, alongside the 37th African Public Relations Association Conference.
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The event is expected to bring together public relations and communication professionals, policymakers, academics and other stakeholders from Nigeria, Africa and beyond to deliberate on the future of responsible communication.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, NIPR, African Public Relations Association, Nigerian Press Council, Nigerian Television Authority and members of the WPRF National Planning Committee, among others.