The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has called for stronger collaboration with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) to deepen efforts at projecting a positive and credible image of Nigeria ahead of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).
The President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, made the call during a courtesy visit to BON’s leadership in Abuja, saying the partnership was vital to strategically project Nigeria’s image to local and international audiences ahead of the global communication summit.
He said the visit was aimed at strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two organisations while exploring areas of collaboration for nation-building.
“Our partnership with BON will boost efforts towards situating the Nigerian story properly in a way that promotes the nation’s reputation among local and international stakeholders,” Neliaku said.
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The NIPR President described the hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum as a unique opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s strengths, promote its investment potential, and reinforce confidence in the country’s image.
Responding, the Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, Tony Akiotu, commended the NIPR for securing the hosting rights for the global event, describing it as a significant achievement for both Nigeria and Africa.
“The NIPR has done Nigeria and indeed Africa a lot of good by attracting the hosting rights for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum to this country. It is left for us as a people to see it as our collective project, an opportunity to present the true image of Nigeria to the rest of the world,” Akiotu stated.
He urged the Federal Government to establish an inter-ministerial committee comprising relevant ministries and agencies to support the planning and successful hosting of the forum.
According to Akiotu, the committee would coordinate efforts to showcase Nigeria as a safe destination for investment, tourism, and business while ensuring the successful delivery of the forum.
He also pledged the support of BON and its member organisations, assuring that broadcast stations across the country would provide extensive publicity for the event and actively participate in the week-long forum scheduled for 15 to 21 November 2026.
The 2026 World Public Relations Forum, which will have President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Chief Host, is expected to attract communication professionals, policymakers, academics, and business leaders from across the world, offering Nigeria a significant platform to strengthen its global reputation.
