Nigeria has won the bid to host the World Public Relations Forum, the president of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, has said.

Neliaku made this known during his address at the Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW 2025) in Uyo.

He expressed his concern about how Nigeria is perceived both at home and abroad, adding that we are a nation in transition.

“I went to Venice to defend Nigeria’s bid for hosting the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, which has been given to Nigeria.

“The first time it came to Africa was in 2007 and I went to South Africa.

“The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, helped in the fight to ensure that Nigeria won the 2026 edition, and we did.

“So, I am happy to announce that the 126 member countries under the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management will be coming to Nigeria to celebrate with us,” Neliaku said.

He said every country in Africa is a gateway, but Nigeria is the destination, adding that the country has all it takes to be the best destination.

On leadership, Neliaku explained that good leaders are supposed to be good at communication.

“They assumed that they know what the people want and in some cases they failed to lead, because they have not done their homework,” Neliaku said.

NAN reports that this is the first time the WPRF will be held in Nigeria and the entire West African region.

NAN also reports that Nigeria will be the second African country to host the WPRF, following South Africa in 2007.