President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, has confirmed his participation as keynote speaker at the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21.

Zambia’s Minister of Information and Media, Cornelius Mweetwa, conveyed the President’s acceptance during a meeting with officials of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the Zambian Institute of Public Relations and Communication (ZIPRC) in Lusaka.

NIPR Director of Public Relations, in a statement, quoted Mweetwa as saying that the Zambian leader accepted the invitation with humility, noting that the visit by the PR bodies came at a critical time and underscored the importance attached to the global communication forum.

“The President does not take this invitation lightly. He has graciously accepted to serve as keynote speaker at that important global forum,” the minister said.

The WPRF, a flagship global gathering of communication professionals, is expected to draw participants from across continents, with Nigeria hosting on behalf of Africa.

President of NIPR, Ike Neliaku, said the forum presents an opportunity to shape global communication narratives from an African perspective, adding that Nigeria is fully prepared to host the event.

He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has accepted to serve as Chief Host, while the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will convene an African Information Ministers Roundtable as part of the programme.

Neliaku, alongside APRA President Arik Karani, is currently in Zambia to galvanise participation and engage stakeholders ahead of the forum, which will be held alongside the 37th APRA Conference in Nigeria.