Nigeria’s public relations institute becomes the first in the world to win the prestigious international award in consecutive years.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has emerged the 2026 Global Public Relations Association of the Year, becoming the first professional institute in the world to win the prestigious international award for two consecutive years.
The award, regarded as the highest international recognition for public relations associations, was announced on Friday in Abuja by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Prof. Justin Green.
A statement signed by Stanley Ogadigo, Director, Public Relations of the NIPR, dated 6th of November, 2026, and sighted by The Atlantic Bell, stated that
Green made the announcement at the launch of the Youth Digital Campaign for the forthcoming 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Forum’s Local Organising Committee.
He described NIPR’s consecutive victories as a significant achievement for Nigeria, noting that the competition attracted entries from public relations associations across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and India.
“It is truly a great honour for NIPR to have won this award for a second time running, which shows the calibre, experience and expertise within Nigeria. It is a true credit that couldn’t have come at a better time,” he said.
The Global Alliance said the award followed a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an international panel of distinguished judges. It added that the 2026 edition attracted 92 entries from different countries, underscoring the global reach and competitiveness of the awards.
Reacting to the recognition, NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, said the achievement demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to excel and provide global leadership across different fields of human endeavour.
He called on Nigerian leaders to harness the country’s enormous potentials to strengthen its international reputation and reposition its image before the global community.
“As an Institute charged with the responsibility of regulating the practice of public relations and manning the reputation gates of the nation, we understand the value of reputation and we are deliberate in telling the Nigerian story of excellence before the global community,” Neliaku said.
He added that the institute had continued to distinguish itself through initiatives, innovations and developmental projects aimed at advancing the public relations profession.
The NIPR president also expressed confidence that Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum would further consolidate the country’s standing in the global public relations community.
The forum, scheduled for November 15 to 22, 2026, is expected to attract international professionals and stakeholders in public relations and communication management.
Neliaku described the event as a national reputation project that would redefine global perceptions of Nigeria, expressing optimism that its impact would establish a standard difficult to surpass for decades.
