President of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Prof. Justin Green, has urged Nigerian public relations practitioners and corporate organisations to participate actively in the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2026 scheduled to hold in Abuja.
Green made the call at the September General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), FCT Chapter, where he said the forum would provide an opportunity to address misconceptions about Nigeria and present the country to an international audience.
He said efforts to bring the global forum to Africa had faced resistance before Nigeria was selected to host the event.
“This journey has been a very long journey. And I’m not talking about the journey from Ireland to here. I’m talking about the journey of WPRF to Abuja, Nigeria in 2026,” Green said.
According to him, the November gathering would provide an opportunity for participants to engage with issues affecting perceptions of Nigeria globally.
“There are misperceptions that continue today around the world,” he said, adding that the forum could help address such perceptions.
Green also urged practitioners to encourage their organisations to participate in the event through sponsorship, registration and other forms of involvement.
“Bring the company with you. Get them to sponsor something. Get them to participate. Get them to be involved. Get them to register and be a part of it,” he said.
The NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, said the forum would provide an opportunity to project Nigeria’s culture, identity and reputation internationally.
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Neliaku said public relations practitioners had a responsibility to communicate Nigeria’s story and uphold the country’s image.
“It is our responsibility to protect the integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
He said the institute was committed to ensuring effective hosting of the forum, adding that preparations were ongoing.
The Chairman of the NIPR FCT Chapter, Fellow Stanley Ogadigo, said the chapter was working with relevant stakeholders to prepare for the international gathering.
“As the host chapter, we are doing everything possible to make sure that the world will have a wonderful time when it comes to Nigeria,” Ogadigo said.
He urged members of the institute to register and participate actively in the forum, noting that the September meeting was partly dedicated to preparations for the event.
Also speaking, Fellow Basil Okoye announced plans for an October 3 roadshow from the Zoological Garden in Area 1 to Radio House.
He said the roadshow would involve NIPR members, National Youth Service Corps personnel, students, media organisations, government agencies, young public relations professionals, corporate practitioners and cultural groups.
Mr Ifeanyi Nnadi disclosed that training was also being organised for hotel managers ahead of the arrival of delegates.
According to him, the training will focus on security, customer service, crisis management and operational preparedness.
He said between 80 and 100 hotels were expected to benefit from the initiative.
The World Public Relations Forum, scheduled for November 15 to 21, 2026, is organised by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and hosted by the NIPR.
The forum has the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”
