Nigeria will host global public relations leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, business executives and communication professionals in Abuja in November as the country stages the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).

The week-long gathering, themed “Responsible Communication – The Voice of the World,” will combine high-level discussions on the future of communication with cultural activities, including a Jollof Rice Festival expected to serve about 10,000 people.

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

He said the forum would bring together not only communication professionals but also policymakers, businesses, institutions and other stakeholders who rely on public relations and strategic communication.

According to him, the broader engagement is expected to contribute to the Abuja Declaration on Responsible Communication, a document aimed at setting 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,” Neliaku said.

He said the discussions would enable stakeholders to identify emerging challenges and develop solutions capable of shaping the profession’s response to changing global realities.

The forum is expected to attract participants from governance, politics, business, academia, technology, security, faith, culture, civil society, youth organisations, diplomatic missions and international institutions.

It will feature high-level dialogues, workshops, masterclasses, networking sessions and expert-led learning, alongside the 37th African Public Relations Association Conference and an African Ministers of Information Roundtable.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, is expected to host the ministers’ roundtable.

Neliaku said the proposed Abuja Declaration would also seek to update the principles that have guided the public relations profession since the landmark Mexico 1978 statement, taking into account developments such as artificial intelligence, social media, digital communication and the spread of misinformation.

“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,” he said.

Beyond the conference sessions, organisers are positioning the event as an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s culture and hospitality to international delegates.

The maiden Nigeria Jollof Rice Festival is expected to feed about 10,000 people as part of the forum’s corporate social responsibility initiative.

A seven-hour tailoring pavilion will also allow foreign visitors to have African attire made for them, while exhibitions, entertainment and an experience zone will showcase aspects of Nigerian and African culture.

Neliaku said the cultural activities were deliberately incorporated to ensure that international visitors experienced Nigeria beyond the conference room.

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

Representatives of major international organisations, including the United Nations, World Bank, UNESCO, Interpol, World Press Agency and World Customs Organization, are also expected to participate.

The World Public Relations Awards will be held during the forum to recognise individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in the profession. A Global Alliance publication on responsible communication is also expected to be unveiled.

Youth development will form another component of the programme, with the Global Youth Public Relations Summit scheduled for November 20.

Neliaku said the NIPR, Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and APRA were committed to developing a new generation of communication professionals.

He urged diplomatic missions to encourage young people from their respective countries to attend the youth summit and participate in the wider global discussions.

The Diplomatic Corps welcomed the initiative, with the High Commissioner of Cameroon and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Mersole J. Mellejor, commending the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NIPR for engaging diplomatic missions ahead of the event.

Mellejor described the theme as timely, particularly against the backdrop of growing misinformation and fake news.

He said the forum would provide an opportunity for communication leaders, academics and policymakers to examine the role of responsible communication in promoting social cohesion, inclusion, good governance and sustainable development.

He also described Abuja as an appropriate venue, given Nigeria’s position as an important economic, business, innovation and cultural hub.

The main activities will take place at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, while arrangements have been made with 19 other hotels across different categories to accommodate delegates.

Neliaku added that the security arrangements were also being put in place in collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure a safe environment for international and local participants.

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

Describing the forum as a collective undertaking, Neliaku said its success would depend on the involvement of stakeholders from across sectors and countries.

He quoted the popular saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”

The organisers said the forum would ultimately seek to strengthen responsible communication globally while giving international visitors an opportunity to experience Nigeria’s culture, cuisine and hospitality.