NIPR urges responsible communication as Nigeria hosts global PR forum

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has stepped up sensitisation ahead of the 13th World Public Relations Forum in Abuja, with practitioners in Sokoto and Edo states stressing the need for responsible communication, professional integrity and public trust as Nigeria prepares to host more than 3,000 delegates from over 126 countries.

Speaking in Sokoto during the Caliphate Roadshow organised by the state NIPR chapter ahead of the Abuja event, scheduled for November 15 to 21, 2026, former Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Danladi Bako, warned media and public relations practitioners against compromising their integrity, saying credibility remains their most valuable asset in communicating issues that affect peace and security.

The event brought together media professionals, public relations practitioners, security agencies, members of the National Youth Service Corps and other stakeholders.

Bako said the growing security challenges confronting the country had made credible and responsible communication more important, stressing that misinformation and irresponsible communication could deepen tension and undermine public confidence.

He urged practitioners to guard their reputation and ensure that information released to the public was handled with professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility.

“Anywhere you find yourself, please continue to retain your integrity and your reputation. Your reputation, your integrity, all matter with public relations,” Bako said.

He therefore encouraged practitioners to continuously improve their professional knowledge and embrace opportunities provided by the NIPR.

Bako described the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum as a major development for the profession, noting that Nigeria would host the global gathering for the first time.

“The World Public Relations Week is being brought to Africa and indeed to Nigeria for the first time. We are very proud to have the privilege of hosting the world in November,” he said.

The Sokoto State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bello Danchadi, who represented the state government, said the administration recognised the strategic importance of information management and public communication.

Danchadi disclosed that about 3,000 young people were being recruited into the state civil service, with a significant number expected to serve as information officers in the Ministry of Information.

Earlier, the NIPR Sokoto State chairman, Suleiman Sada, appealed to the state government to support members of the institute to attend the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja.

Sada also announced plans by the chapter to organise a public lecture in collaboration with the Nigeria Police to sensitise political parties and the public on responsible communication ahead of the 2027 elections.

Similarly, the Edo State chapter of the NIPR commenced sensitisation of its members and the public on the 13th World Public Relations Forum coming up in Abuja.

As part of the sensitisation programme, the body held a walk around the Benin metropolis on Saturday, bearing banners, playing music and dancing as members of the public joined the walk, which terminated at the Nigeria Observer office on Airport Road.

• 2027: Remi Tinubu rallies women behind Tinubu, APC candidates
• Food prices have reduced by 50% — Agric minister
• Niger miners’ deaths: FG pledges N250m support to families

In his speech, the chairman of the state chapter of the NIPR, Dr James-Wisdom Abhulimen, said the global event was not just another professional forum but a gathering of the public relations and strategic communication community.

He said the forum would also attract prominent global leaders and communication experts, as more than 3,000 delegates from over 126 countries were expected to participate.

He said, “It is against this background that we are taking this message to the streets of Benin City ahead of the 13th World Public Relations Forum, which Nigeria will hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026.

“This is not just another professional conference. It is a major global gathering of the Public Relations and strategic communication community.”

Organised by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Abhulimen said WPRF 2026 would take place alongside the 37th African Public Relations Association Conference, under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”

While noting that the significance of the forum to Nigeria was enormous, he said President Bola Tinubu was the chief host, while Hakainde Hichilema, the President of Zambia, was scheduled to deliver the keynote address.

He added, “More than 3,000 delegates from over 126 countries are expected to participate. This means that in November, the world will come to Abuja and the world will be listening to Nigeria.

“For Nigeria, WPRF 2026 provides an opportunity to showcase our professional capacity, communication industry, intellectual resources and rich cultural heritage to the global community.

“It is also an opportunity to demonstrate how responsible communication can strengthen trust, leadership, governance, peace and sustainable development.

“For Edo State, our message is clear: Edo is ready for the WPRF, and that is why we are on the road today. This Road Walk is a public awareness and mobilisation campaign.

“We are taking the WPRF message directly to the people, engaging the government, the media, the private sector and other stakeholders, while demonstrating Edo State’s readiness to participate in this important international gathering.

“Our stopovers are not merely ceremonial. They are opportunities to create awareness, open conversations, build partnerships and mobilise support.

“From government institutions to the media, from the private sector to the wider public, our message is that communication must be recognised as a strategic instrument of leadership, governance, business and development.”