Lagos NIPR Unveils LaPRIGA 2026, Raises the Bar for Innovation and Influence in Communication

• Sep 1, 2026

The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has unveiled plans for the 2026 Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards (LaPRIGA), with a renewed focus on celebrating innovation, originality, excellence and measurable impact across Nigeria's evolving communication landscape.

Scheduled to hold on Friday, December 11, 2026, at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, the 2026 edition is themed “Redefining Innovation and Influence.”

The unveiling, which brought together stakeholders in the public relations and broader communications industry, signalled the organisers' intention to further position LaPRIGA as a platform for recognising ideas, campaigns and professionals shaping the future of strategic communication.

Speaking at the media briefing, Chairman of Lagos NIPR, Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, FNIPR, FRPA, said the theme was inspired by the significant transformation taking place across public relations, advertising, digital communication, content creation, technology and brand management.

According to him, the increasing convergence of these disciplines has created a new communication environment that demands fresh thinking and a more deliberate approach to creating value and influence.

“Innovation is no longer simply about doing something new. It is about doing something differently, intelligently and meaningfully, in ways that solve problems, create value and deliver measurable impact,” Ayetutu said.

He noted that influence in today's communication environment can no longer be measured solely by the size of an organisation's media budget or its visibility across traditional media platforms.

Rather, he said, meaningful influence is increasingly built on credibility, relevance, authenticity, engagement and the ability to shape conversations and inspire action.

Ayetutu further observed that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, social listening and automation are transforming how communication professionals research audiences, develop content, distribute messages and measure outcomes.

While technology has created unprecedented opportunities for practitioners, he said it has also increased the responsibility to ensure that communication remains original, authentic and insightful.

“Technology has given practitioners unprecedented opportunities to reach and engage audiences, but it has also created new responsibilities,” he said.

“In an era where artificial intelligence can generate content within seconds, originality, authenticity and insight have become even more valuable.”

According to the Lagos NIPR Chairman, LaPRIGA 2026 will therefore go beyond recognising activity and visibility to celebrating work that demonstrates creativity, strategic value and measurable impact.

“The question is no longer simply, ‘Can we create content?’ The more important question is, ‘Can we create something original, authentic, insightful and consequential?’” he added.

Expanded Categories for a Changing Communication Landscape

A major highlight of LaPRIGA 2026 is the introduction of new and expanded award categories designed to reflect the increasing diversity and evolving realities of contemporary communication practice.

The awards will recognise outstanding achievements in categories such as PR Agency of the Year, Public Service PR Campaign of the Year, Brand PR Campaign of the Year, PR Excellence in Issues and Crisis Management, Best Innovative Technology Deployment in PR, Most Influential PR Professional of the Year, Best Workplace Development PR Initiative, Community Relations Excellence, Sustainability PR and Communication, PR Educator (Tertiary) of the Year and PR Trainer (Professional Development) of the Year, among others.

The organisers will also present honorary recognitions, including the Lagos PR Personality of the Year and the Lifetime PR Contribution Award, to individuals whose sustained contributions have helped advance the practice and development of public relations.

Ayetutu commended the LaPRIGA 2026 Awards Selection Committee, chaired by Dr. Dare Ogunyombo, for its efforts in reviewing and expanding the award categories to reflect contemporary realities within the profession.

Planning Committee Promises Exceptional Edition

Chairman of the LaPRIGA 2026 Planning and Fund-Raising Committee, Mr. Tope Akande, assured stakeholders that preparations were underway to deliver what he described as the most memorable edition of the awards yet.

He said the committee was paying close attention to stakeholder engagement, strategic partnerships, guest experience and the overall quality of the event.

Akande called on communication professionals, agencies, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to support and participate in the initiative, describing LaPRIGA as an important platform for celebrating the individuals, ideas and institutions contributing to the advancement of the profession.

Focus on Strategy, Creativity and Measurable Impact

Speaking on the selection process, Chairman of the LaPRIGA 2026 Awards Selection Committee, Dr. Dare Ogunyombo, said the expanded categories were designed to recognise excellence across an increasingly diverse communication ecosystem.

He explained that the assessment process would place strong emphasis on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and measurable impact, ensuring that recognition goes beyond visibility alone.

Entries will be evaluated across key areas including strategy and objectives, creativity and innovation, execution and implementation, as well as impact and measurement.

The framework will also recognise emerging areas of practice, including the innovative application of technology and artificial intelligence in public relations, crisis management, sustainability communication, community relations, workplace communication, professional education and thought leadership.

Entries Open August 31

The organisers announced that entries for LaPRIGA 2026 will open on Monday, August 31, 2026, and close on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

Eligible entries will include public relations and marketing communication campaigns, activities and programmes initiated and concluded between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026.

The Lagos NIPR has encouraged practitioners, agencies, corporate organisations, government institutions and other eligible stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase outstanding work and contribute to raising professional standards across the communication industry.

More Than an Awards Ceremony

Beyond recognising excellence, LaPRIGA 2026 promises to bring together leading public relations practitioners, advertising professionals, corporate communicators, journalists, government communication specialists, brand managers, digital communication experts, academics and business leaders for an evening of networking and celebration.

Describing LaPRIGA as more than an awards ceremony, Ayetutu said recognition plays a critical role in shaping professional standards and inspiring excellence.

“Recognition matters. When we recognise excellence, we encourage excellence. When we celebrate innovation, we inspire others to innovate. And when we honour practitioners who create genuine value for their organisations, clients and society, we strengthen the entire profession.”

He urged stakeholders across the communication ecosystem to embrace LaPRIGA 2026 as a collective celebration of ideas, creativity and professional excellence.

“Let us come together to redefine innovation and influence. Let us celebrate those who dare to think differently, recognise those who create original ideas and honour those whose communication does more than make noise, but changes perceptions, inspires action, builds reputation and creates lasting influence.”

Ayetutu expressed confidence that the 2026 edition would set a new benchmark for the awards while further reinforcing Lagos' position as a leading hub for professional communication excellence in Nigeria.