Ahead of the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) Abuja 2026, a Continental Advisory Committee (CAC) was on Monday inaugurated to serve as a Pan-African framework to provide strategic guidance and foster continental collaboration in support of the successful hosting of the Forum, a flagship programme of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
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The 45-member committee was jointly inaugurated virtually by the President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), Mr. Arik Karani, and the Chairperson of the African Regional Council, Global Alliance, Mrs. Irene Lungu Chipili.
In his remarks, Mr. Karani assured that APRA would offer all necessary support to ensure that the event, which is returning to African soil for only the second time in history, will stand out among previous editions of the Global Alliance Forum.
“I think it’s going to be a conference none of us has witnessed, going by the quality of planning already being put in place, as we saw in the pomp and pageantry that characterised the national unveiling earlier today in Abuja,” Karani stated.
He urged every member of the team to view the one-year assignment as a solid partnership that will position Africa as a leading voice in public relations, expressing optimism that an exceptional WPRF event will be delivered to the world.
Also speaking, Mrs. Chipili emphasised that the WPRF is not just a programme for Nigeria but an opportunity to showcase African brotherhood. She appealed to all members to be contributory towards making the event a huge success.
“We all have roles to play in agenda development, resource mobilisation, and other areas. I call for deep engagement and active participation from everyone. The national unveiling, as we witnessed today, was thunderous, and I have no doubt this will be the most memorable WPRF in recent times,” she said.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, noted that the team was carefully selected from among presidents of public relations bodies in Africa, leaders of strategic organisations aligned with the vision of NIPR, senior practitioners in public relations, as well as members of the NIPR Governing Council.
He charged the committee to demonstrate that Africa’s immense potential remains unmatched, stressing that the goal is to deliver “the biggest, brightest, and boldest” World Public Relations Forum.
Speaking on the theme, “Responsible Communication: Voice of the World,” Dr. Neliaku described it as strategic to Africa, noting that certain gaps have been identified in the continent’s communication landscape.
“We don’t relate as we ought to, we don’t communicate the way we ought to, but the bottom line is that the time has come for us to take our rightful position,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the highly experienced team members are well-positioned to play advisory roles that will help the National Planning Committee host a very successful event.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman of the Continental Advisory Committee, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, described the team as a “massive house of builders of narratives across Africa and beyond.”
He noted that the gathering was more than an inauguration but a mission. “We are switching on a continental conversation that will reposition Africa not as a participant but as a host, a curator, and a thought leader. WPRF Abuja 2026 is not just an event but a statement on African stories, reputation, and relationships deserving of the world stage. This time, the world is coming to Africa to listen,” he said.
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Prof. Dandaura, also the Vice President of NIPR, expressed delight that leaders of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, and other relevant professional organisations are part of the team to provide a strong marketing framework for the programme.
He assured that under his chairmanship, the CAC would do its utmost to surpass expectations.
The committee, which has the Registrar of NIPR, Chief Uzoma Onyebadue, as Secretary, is expected to provide strategic advice to the National Planning Committee on programme design, stakeholder engagement, and continental mobilization. It will also facilitate partnerships, endorsements, and participation across African countries, promote the visibility of WPRF 2026 as a Pan-African milestone in communication and reputation management, and ensure that African narratives, challenges, and innovations are adequately represented in the Forum’s agenda.
