The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has inaugurated a 22-member National Planning Committee to organise the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, billed to hold in Abuja.

The forum will be a gathering of public relations professionals from over 126 countries.

The event is organised by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management in partnership with NIPR.

The members of the committee include Suleiman Haruna, chairman, and Yakubu Lamai, co-chairman. Other members are Mariam Sanusi, Rotimi Olatunji, retired former police commissioner, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Inimfon Etuk, Veronica Abuede, Yusuf Mu’azu, Aisha Gambari, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Eberechukwu Emeribe, Mohammed Abubakar, Tope Ojeme, Nelson Omenugha, Olubunmi Badejo, Victor Agi, Fatima Buba, Basil Agboarumi, Stanley Ogadigo, Foga Amos, Mary Ichoku, and Emmanuel Onchono are also members of the committee.

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, NIPR president Ike Neliaku said the NPC was saddled with the responsibility of organising the 2026 WPRF tagged ‘Abuja 2026’.

Mr Neliaku tasked the committee to deliver on the mandate given to them, stressing that the international event had given Nigeria the opportunity to shape its narrative and boost its image and reputation.

Responding, the chairman of the committee said that the inauguration of registration and unveiling marked the formal beginning of preparations for what promises to be one of the most significant gatherings of communication professionals ever held on African soil.

He noted that as WPRF 2026 was unveiled, a vision, spirit of collaboration, and pride were presented, adding that it called for telling the African stories authentically and connecting to the world through communication.

According to him, we look forward to welcoming the world to Abuja in 2026.

Mr Lamai added, ”The WRPF Abuja 2026 will take place in November 2026, and will span six days. Aside from the usual morning sessions with workshops and training, we are implementing a structured entertainment mechanism, similar to FESTAC 1977.

”We are working on a lot of things, like horse riding, spoken words, and other forms of entertainment that will make participants love Nigeria and always want to come back.”

(NAN)