NIPR, Airline CEO Celebrate Nigeria’s Successful Bid to Host Global PR Forum
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, have celebrated Nigeria’s successful bid to host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), describing the global gathering as an opportunity for the country to showcase its capacity, culture and professional excellence to the world.
They spoke on Sunday in Abuja at a reception hosted by Okonkwo in honour of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Prof. Justin Green.
The World Public Relations Forum is scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.” The event, hosted by NIPR in partnership with the Global Alliance, is expected to bring together communication professionals, policymakers, academics and other stakeholders from around the world.
Speaking at the reception, NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, said Nigeria’s successful bid was a major opportunity to demonstrate the country’s capacity to host a world-class professional gathering and project a more accurate image of Nigeria before an international audience.
Neliaku said the Institute was determined to make the forum the “biggest, brightest and boldest” World Public Relations Forum ever held, stressing that the country had the capacity, competence and character required to deliver a successful event.
The NIPR president has previously described the forum as more than a professional gathering, saying it represents a global referendum on Nigeria’s credibility, competence and capacity to provide leadership.
He said the Institute and its partners were working to ensure that delegates would experience Nigeria beyond conventional narratives about the country, with preparations covering professional engagements, culture, hospitality and other activities designed to showcase the nation.
Neliaku also acknowledged Green’s support for the Nigerian Institute and the continent, particularly his role in expanding African participation within the Global Alliance and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening public relations practice.
He recalled Green’s support for the proposed University of Public Relations and Leadership in Nigeria, saying the Global Alliance president had encouraged the initiative and continued to ask about its progress.
Neliaku said the university project, alongside the development of the NIPR national secretariat, represented part of the broader institutional legacy being pursued by the Institute as it prepares to welcome the global PR community to Nigeria.
In his remarks, Okonkwo praised Green for what he described as his commitment to Africa and his role in expanding African representation within the Global Alliance.
Read Also:
Okonkwo recalled that before Green became president of the Global Alliance, there was no African serving on its board.
He said Green subsequently supported the creation of regional councils, including the Africa Regional Council, and helped expand African participation in the organisation.
According to Okonkwo, the Global Alliance now has several Africans serving on its board, describing the development as evidence of Green’s efforts to make the organisation more representative of its global membership.
He also recalled an earlier attempt by Kenya to host the World Public Relations Forum, saying Green strongly opposed the decision to move the event from Kenya to Europe. Okonkwo said Green’s commitment to greater African participation eventually contributed to his decision to contest the presidency of the Global Alliance.
Okonkwo said Nigeria’s successful bid to host the forum could not be separated from the broader efforts to strengthen Africa’s position within the global public relations community.
“Today Africa is in a position to host the World Public Relations Forum,” he said, attributing the development partly to Green’s commitment to fairness, equity and greater African recognition.
He assured Green that Nigeria would not disappoint in hosting the forum, saying stakeholders from the media, broadcasting, academia and other sectors had been mobilised to support the event.
Okonkwo listed representatives of the Radio, Television and Theatre Workers Union, Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, the News Agency of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and the university community among those present at the reception.
He said the presence of such stakeholders demonstrated the broad support behind the Nigerian hosting and reflected the importance attached to the forum.
Okonkwo also highlighted the planned University of Public Relations and Leadership, recalling Green’s support for the project and his earlier visit to Nigeria during which he inspected the proposed site of the NIPR national secretariat.
He said the national secretariat project was progressing and would become a major landmark for the public relations profession.
The reception also provided an opportunity for Neliaku and Okonkwo to express appreciation to Green for his support for Nigeria and Africa, with both speakers urging stakeholders to work collectively to deliver a memorable global forum.
The 2026 World Public Relations Forum will mark the 25th anniversary of the Global Alliance and is expected to attract delegates from its member countries. The official programme lists Abuja as the host city, with the main forum taking place at the Transcorp Hilton from November 16 to 21.
The Global Alliance has described Nigeria’s successful bid as a reflection of NIPR’s growing influence and professionalism, while Green said hosting the forum would provide an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage and communication industry.
