By Philip Yatai
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has designated the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as its official digital and wire service provider for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).
The acting President of the Institute, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura disclosed this during the signing of the partnership’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), at the NAN Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Dandaura, who signed on behalf of NIPR, explained that the institute would host the 2026 WPRF from Nov. 15 to 21, with the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World”.
He described the forum as a “great opportunity” for the NIPR and its partners to showcase Nigeria to the world.
“This is a big boost in our efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s reputation perception improved greatly, coming on the heels of the first perception survey, which scored Nigeria poorly as a nation, 35.2 per cent.
“We feel that the Nigerian brand, particularly the economy, would benefit immensely from the event as participants, including professionals, heads of government from Africa and Europe and crème de la creme of public relations professionals will be coming from 126 countries,” he said.
The president also said that during the event, the Institute would equally host the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the African Public Relation Association.
He added that the 25th Anniversary of Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management would also be celebrated during the event.
“This is why we want to bring out our best as a nation,” he said
He said that the MoU with NAN was critical to the success of the event, considering the agency’s pivotal role in news gathering and dissemination across the country, African continent and the world.
“The News Agency of Nigeria has no rival at all as our national carrier as far as digital media and subscription service is concerned.
“We are very proud of what you are doing. We have seen your work; we have seen the impact of your work in all the programmes you have done so far, but this is a time we must do bigger work for Nigeria.
“This is because, you will now leverage even more, your relationship with your contemporaries in other parts of the world so that we can syndicate the news with regards to the WPRF as it comes,”.
He said that the “partnership with NAN is at its prime as the official digital and wire service provider. You have no rival at all.
“As Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, we are putting our very best to ensure that the commitment we have given to the world to host the brightest, boldest and biggest gathering ever, is delivered with very little stress”.
Also, Dr Muhammad Kudu Abubakar, Chairman, Communication and Media Relations Work Team, WPRF, explained that based on the MoU, NAN would be expected to give live digital coverage of the entire event.
Abubakar added that NAN would also be the international media gateway and broadcast all sponsored content during the event.
On his part, the Managing Director of NAN, Ali Muhammad Ali, who signed on behalf of the agency, described NAN as a “dependable ally” for the forthcoming WPR Forum.
Ali explained that NAN, with partnership with several global brands such as AFP, Routers, and Xinhua (Chinese News Agency) among others, would amplify all positions and decisions taken during the event.
He added that NAN, Africa’s largest news content provider has offices in every nook and cranny of the country, with more than 400 editorial staff working round the clock, hunting and gathering news.
“We take local news to national level and national news to the international stage, and over the years, NAN has come to be a trusted brand that people have respect for.
“Virtually all the major media organisations – nationally and beyond rely on NAN for authentic stories and for stories that are balanced and without prejudice to anyone.
“So yes, we couldn’t have been more agreeable to this partnership,” he said.
He commended the leadership of NIPR for the robust engagement to ensure the success of the event and assured the leadership of NAN’s continued support. (NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
