‘No Wahala’: World PR Forum 2026 to Bring Global Leaders, Nigerian Jollof and Culture to Abuja

By Iyojo Ameh

Nigeria is set to welcome global public relations leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, business executives and communication professionals to Abuja in November for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), with organisers promising a unique blend of global dialogue, Nigerian culture and a massive Jollof Rice Festival.

The week-long global gathering, themed “Responsible Communication The Voice of the World,” will provide a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the future of communication, misinformation, technology, governance, peacebuilding and sustainable development.

A major highlight of the forum will be the maiden Nigeria Jollof Rice Festival, where about 10,000 people are expected to be fed as part of the corporate social responsibility initiative of the World Public Relations Forum.

President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr, disclosed the plans during a briefing with members of the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja on Monday.

Neliaku said the forum was designed to go beyond a conventional professional gathering by bringing together communication practitioners and the individuals, organisations and institutions that consume and rely on their services.

According to him, the engagement will help stakeholders develop what is expected to become the Abuja Declaration on Responsible Communication, which will set a new direction for the global communication profession over the next decade.

“We said, let’s go beyond ourselves and bring them to the room so that we can interface. Let us listen to them, those of them who are using our solutions,” he said.

He explained that interaction between professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders would help identify issues that may not have previously been discovered and contribute to shaping the global communication agenda for the next 10 years.

Global leaders, policymakers to converge on Abuja

Neliaku said the forum would attract global thought leaders, policymakers and professional icons from across different sectors and continents.

Participants are expected from business, governance, politics, commerce, academia, technology, military and security, faith, culture, civil society, youth, royal institutions, diplomatic missions and international organisations.

The gathering will also bring together professionals in integrated marketing communication, including public relations, advertising and marketing, as well as practitioners in entertainment, arts, culture and cuisine.

He said the programme would feature high-level dialogues, workshops, masterclasses, networking opportunities and expert-led learning sessions.

The forum will also host the 37th African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference and an African Ministers of Information Roundtable, which Nigeria’s Minister of Information is expected to host.

Jollof, fashion and Nigerian culture take centre stage

Beyond the serious global conversations, organisers are positioning the forum as an opportunity for international delegates to experience Nigeria’s rich culture.

The Nigeria Jollof Rice Festival is expected to feed 10,000 people, offering one of the country’s most iconic dishes as part of the event’s cultural and social responsibility programme.

The forum will also feature a seven-hour tailoring pavilion, where African attire will be made for international visitors who want to experience and take home Nigerian fashion.

Neliaku said the cultural elements were deliberately incorporated into the programme to ensure that delegates experience Nigeria beyond the conference room.

The event will also feature exhibitions, entertainment and an experience zone showcasing aspects of Nigerian and African culture.

Abuja Declaration to redefine public relations

One of the most significant outcomes of the forum is expected to be the Abuja Declaration on Responsible Communication.

Neliaku said the declaration would build on the landmark Mexico 1978 statement, which established an industry-wide definition of public relations and identified key responsibilities of the profession.

He said the world had changed significantly since 1978, particularly with the emergence of social media, artificial intelligence, digital communication, misinformation and new forms of global interaction.

The Abuja meeting, he said, would therefore provide an opportunity for the profession’s global leaders to revisit the principles established in Mexico and develop a framework that reflects contemporary realities.

“It is here that we are now going to set agenda for the next decades of the relevance of our profession to governance, to peace building, to conflict resolution, to managing issues,” Neliaku said.

He described the gathering as a “once-in-a-lifetime engagement” and urged stakeholders to be part of the historic process.

Zambia’s President to deliver keynote

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to serve as the chief host of the forum, while Zambia’s President, Hakainde Hichilema, is expected to deliver the presidential keynote address.

Other speakers and participants are expected from major international organisations, including the United Nations, World Bank, UNESCO, Interpol, World Press Agency and World Customs Organization.

The forum will also feature the World Public Relations Awards, recognising individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in the profession.

A special Global Alliance publication on responsible communication will also be unveiled during the event.

Youth summit to shape next generation

The organisers have placed strong emphasis on youth participation, with the Global Youth Public Relations Summit scheduled for Friday, November 20.

Neliaku said the NIPR, Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and APRA were committed to developing a credible successor generation.

He urged diplomatic missions to encourage young people from their respective countries to participate in the summit.

According to him, young people must be deliberately given opportunities to engage in global professional conversations and develop the skills required to become responsible future leaders.

Diplomatic Corps welcomes Nigeria’s initiative

Speaking on behalf of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the High Commissioner of Cameroon, Ambassador of the Philippines to Nigeria, H.E. Mersole J. Mellejor, commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NIPR for engaging the diplomatic community ahead of the forum.

He said the engagement reflected the strong relations between Nigeria and the countries represented by the diplomatic missions in Abuja.

Mellejor described the theme, “Responsible Communication – The Voice of the World,” as timely, particularly amid the growing challenges of misinformation and fake news.

He said the forum would enable global communication leaders, academics and policymakers to examine the role of communication in promoting social cohesion, inclusion, good governance and sustainable development.

The diplomat also highlighted Nigeria’s position as a major economic, business, innovation and cultural hub, describing Abuja as an appropriate venue for the international gathering.

He said the Diplomatic Corps would work with the organisers to ensure the success of the forum.

Transcorp Hilton to host main events

The main activities of the week-long programme will be held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, with the event centre serving as the principal venue.

According to Neliaku, the venue was selected because it offers accommodation, conference facilities, dining, entertainment and exhibition spaces within one location.

He said arrangements had also been made with 19 other hotels across different categories to accommodate delegates with varying budgets.

The organisers also assured international delegates that security arrangements were being put in place in collaboration with relevant Nigerian security agencies.

Neliaku urged diplomatic missions, international organisations, businesses and individuals to participate as delegates, partners, sponsors and exhibitors.

He said the forum was ultimately about collective responsibility and urged stakeholders to work together to make the Nigerian-hosted event a global success.

Quoting the popular saying, he said: “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”

And as Nigeria prepares to welcome the world to Abuja, the message from the organisers is simple: No Wahala come for the global conversations, stay for the Jollof and experience Nigeria.

More information is available through the WPRF 2026 website at wprf2026.niprng.org.ng.