President Hakainde Hichilema has confirmed his participation as the keynote speaker at the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, from November 15 to 21.
The confirmation was conveyed by Cornelius Mweetwa during a meeting in Lusaka with delegations from the African Public Relations Association, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and the Zambian Institute of Public Relations and Communication.
“President Hakainde Hichilema in responding to your invitation to attend the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja has graciously accepted your request to be a Keynote Speaker at that important global forum. The President doesn’t take your invitation lightly, but with a lot of humility,” Mweetwa said.
Earlier, NIPR President, Ike Neliaku, described the forum as a major global platform to shape communication narratives from an African perspective. He noted that Nigeria is fully prepared to host the event, adding that Bola Ahmed Tinubu has agreed to serve as Chief Host.
Neliaku also revealed that Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will host an “African Information Ministers Roundtable” as part of activities lined up for the forum.
The NIPR president is currently in Zambia alongside APRA President, Arik Karani, on an official engagement aimed at mobilising participation, strengthening stakeholder collaboration, and advancing preparations for the 2026 WPRF and the 37th APRA Conference, both scheduled to hold in Nigeria.
