BON Urges FG to Set Up Inter-Ministerial Committee for 2026 World PR Forum
BON Urges FG to Set Up Inter-Ministerial Committee for 2026 World PR Forum
By Matthew Eloyi
The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has called on the Federal Government to establish an inter-ministerial committee to support the planning and execution of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), describing the event as a strategic opportunity to reshape Nigeria’s global image.
Chairman of BON, Senior High Chief Tony Akiotu, made the call in Abuja while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), ahead of the global public relations gathering scheduled to hold in Nigeria from November 15 to 21, 2026.
The World Public Relations Forum will have President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its Chief Host.
Akiotu said the forum presents Nigeria with a unique platform to redefine its international reputation and project a positive national image.
“The NIPR has done Nigeria and indeed, Africa a lot of good by attracting the hosting right for the 2026 WPRF to this country. It is left for us as a people to see it as our collective project, an opportunity to present the true image of Nigeria to the rest of the world. We now have opportunity to correct the false narratives being portrayed about Nigeria – narratives that do not represent us. We can now utilise WPRF as a great platform to tell our story. I am calling on the Federal Government to accept the responsibility that this has thrown up and set up an Inter-ministerial Committee that will support the planning and execution of this national project”, he stated.
According to the BON chairman, the proposed committee, comprising relevant ministries, would coordinate efforts to showcase Nigeria as an attractive destination for investment, tourism and business.
He said the committee would also put in place the necessary measures to demonstrate to the international community that Nigeria is safe for investment, living and business, stressing that such an opportunity should not be taken for granted.
Akiotu assured the NIPR of the support of broadcasting organisations across the country, saying BON members would provide the forum with the required media visibility and actively participate in the week-long event.
Earlier, President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku, said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the two organisations and exploring areas of collaboration for nation-building.
He said collaboration with BON would enhance efforts to tell Nigeria’s story more effectively and improve the country’s reputation among both local and international audiences.
Neliaku expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between public relations professionals and the broadcast media would contribute significantly to projecting a more positive image of Nigeria ahead of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum.
