The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has been named the winner of the Global Public Relations Association of the Year at the World Public Relations and Communication Awards 2025, organised by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management.
The announcement was made in Lisbon, Portugal on February 19, 2026, following a highly competitive process that attracted 89 entries from 19 countries across the world.
In a swift reaction, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, extended warm congratulations to the NIPR for earning the global recognition.
President Tinubu commended the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, for their exemplary leadership and commitment that culminated in the institute’s historic global honour.
In the congratulatory statement issued in Abuja by his special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian President noted that the Institute was adjudged the best in the world following a highly competitive process that attracted 89 entries from 19 countries on February 19, 2026.
President Tinubu extolled Alhaji Idris, Dr Neliaku, and their team, as well as public relations practitioners in the country, for their vision and dedication, which propelled NIPR to victory, describing the achievement as a resounding endorsement of Nigeria’s growing influence and professionalism in the global public relations and strategic communications ecosystem.
The President noted that the award reflects the transformative reforms and international engagement championed by NIPR, as well as the enabling policy direction and institutional support provided by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation under the leadership of Minister Idris.
According to him, the recognition underscores Nigeria’s capacity to set benchmarks in ethical communication, public trust-building, and national reputation management.
He expressed confidence that the Institute will continue to advance excellence, innovation, and integrity in public relations practice.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting institutions that elevate Nigeria’s image internationally and contribute meaningfully to national development through effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
The award recognises NIPR’s outstanding leadership in professional regulation, reputation governance, ethical standards enforcement, strategic communication advocacy, and its reform-driven agenda repositioning public relations as a strategic driver of national development.
Also reacting to the announcement, the NIPR Ag. President, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura described the recognition as “a defining global endorsement of Nigerian professionalism and excellence in public relations”.
A statement made available to NATIONAL ACCORD in Abuja on Friday, quoted Prof Dandaura to have said, “This is not just a trophy. It is evidence that disciplined reform and institutional courage yield results. Nigeria is no longer observing global reputation conversations from the sidelines, we are influencing them.”
Prof. Dandaura extolled the NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, for what he described as purposeful and visionary leadership that has repositioned the Institute for greater national relevance and stronger international visibility.
The Ag. President also congratulated Chain Reactions, a member-agency of NIPR, for emerging Winner in the “Internal Communication Campaign” category, with their ‘Next Era of Happiness: Managing Change and Employee’ entry.
He acknowledged the contributions of past leaders who laid the institutional foundation, current Council Members who have sustained the reforms momentum, and the young professionals across the country who represent the future of strategic communication.
The Global Alliance Awards celebrate excellence in public relations and communication worldwide, recognising innovation, impact, ethics, and professional advancement across industries and regions. The formal presentation of trophies will take place during the Global Alliance World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2026 scheduled for 15th – 21st November, 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria
