3000 delegates from 126 countries to attend 2026 Abuja WPRF event – NIPR President

By Ochiaka Ugwu

About 3000 delegates from 126 nations of the world were expected to participate in the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) scheduled to hold in Abuja from 15 to 21 November 2026, the President and Chairman of Council, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku has said.

Neliaku who made this known Monday in a presentation brief to Members of the Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria on the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) in Abuja described the event as the biggest, brightest and boldest convergence of public relations and communication experts, with about 3,000 Delegates expected from over 126 Countries.

Noting that the Diplomatic Community in Nigeria was a very important part of public relations stakeholders and represents most of the countries attending WPRF, Neliaku stated the need to provide appropriate information to members of the Community to enable proper responses to enquiries from home countries.

He informed the event was a Nigerian project which government and citizens were aligned to, stating the nation needs the support of the Diplomatic Community to successfully host the WPRF.

Neliaku used the occasion to invite and request the help of the Diplomatic Community to promote and encourage participation of delegates from their countries.

He said the event which he described as unique would be characterized by One Week of Great experience, learning, knowledge sharing, and networking, covering all aspects of public relations, communication, governance and leadership.

The event themed: “Responsible Communication, The Voice of The World” was the first ‘Global Solution-Policy Interface’, covering all the continents and open to non-professionals and setting new communication agenda for global peace.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the Diplomatic Corps, Philippines Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Mersole J. Mellejor said the invitation extended to them by the Foreign Ministry and NIPR was a manifestation of the strong relations between Nigeria and the countries they represent.

While commending NIPR and its partners (Global Alliance and the African Public Relations Association) for organizing the WPFR 2026, he said the theme “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World”, WPRF 2026 promised to be a very significant gathering of global communication leaders, academics, and policymakers as they take a look at the role that communication plays in promoting social cohesion and inclusion, good governance and sustainable development.

Chairman, National Planning Committee of WPRF 2026, Abuja, Dr. Suleiman Haruna informed that the federal government was deeply involved in the WPRF 2026, as the Minister of Information was the first to announce the winning of the hosting rights and was championing the promotion of the event.

He noted that Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu was the Chief Host and has given all the necessary backing for its success with Ministers and Governors to play different roles at appropriate times during the event.