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126 countries confirm attendance
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By Oluseye Ojo
The Federal Government has declared its readiness to host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), with delegates from more than 126 countries and representatives of major international institutions expected at the event, scheduled for November 15 to 22 in Abuja.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance on Wednesday at a world press conference in Abuja, saying President Bola Tinubu would serve as chief host.
In a press release issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the minister, Idris described the forum as an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s capacity, strengthen international partnerships and enhance its influence in global communication discourse.
He thanked 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 37th APRA Conference.
He noted that Nigeria was the first country in West Africa and the second in Africa to host the WPRF.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World’, the minister said the transformation of the information ecosystem through digital platforms, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies had heightened concerns over misinformation, disinformation and declining public trust.
The minister urged public relations practitioners to uphold truth, accuracy, transparency, ethical standards and public interest. He stressed that their responsibilities went beyond reputation management and promoting institutional interests.
Idris also listed the Federal Government’s support for the establishment of the UNESCO Category Two International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja to equip citizens, particularly young people, with skills to identify misleading information and navigate the digital environment responsibly.
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He insisted that government communication must be a two-way process involving listening to citizens, addressing legitimate concerns and providing credible information, rather than merely explaining policies and programmes.
The minister disclosed that his ministry was working with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and relevant institutions to coordinate protocol, security, logistics, hospitality and stakeholder engagement for the forum.
Earlier, the NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, commended Idris for his support during Nigeria’s bid, recalling that the minister had directed the team to secure the hosting rights.
‘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,’ Neliaku said.
The APRA Secretary-General, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, described Nigeria’s hosting of the WPRF and the 37th APRA Conference as a historic opportunity for Africa to strengthen its collective voice and influence global communication discourse.
‘We want to speak with one voice as a continent,’ he said.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance, Prof Justin Green, said representatives of the United Nations, World Bank, African Union and European Commission were expected at the forum.
He commended President Bola Tinubu and Idris for their support, describing the minister’s commitment as crucial to securing the event for Nigeria.
The press conference was attended by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Binyerem Ukaire; the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Bulama; and the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, among other senior officials and NIPR members.
