Nigeria's Omoniyi Ibietan Re-elected APRA Secretary-General
Nigerian communications expert and former Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) official, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, has been re-elected as Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), securing a second term in the association's top leadership.
Ibietan was returned to office during APRA's General Assembly held in Swakopmund, Namibia, on the sidelines of the Effective Communicators Conference, which concluded on July 17, 2026. He will serve alongside re-elected President Arik Karani of Kenya and Vice-President Professor Michele Mekeme of Cameroon.
Delegates at the General Assembly unanimously renewed the mandate of the association's principal officers after commending the outgoing Executive Council for strengthening national and regional public relations bodies across Africa and expanding collaboration with governments, including ICT ministries, over the past two years.
The General Assembly also adopted a new APRA Constitution, expanding the Executive Council to include the offices of Treasurer, Assistant Secretary-General and six regional coordinators representing East Africa, Francophone Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, North Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa.
The newly re-elected leadership has been mandated to fill the additional positions ahead of APRA's 37th Annual Conference and the World Public Relations Forum, scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026.
Speaking after the election, APRA President Arik Karani thanked delegates for the renewed confidence and said the association would deepen its collaboration with the African Union in supporting the implementation of the continent's Digital Transformation Strategy.
According to him, APRA intends to leverage its network of communication professionals to promote public awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement and build trust around Africa's digital transformation agenda.
Nigeria's Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, congratulated Ibietan on his re-election, describing it as "a well-deserved recognition of his professionalism, dedication and outstanding contributions to the public relations profession in Africa."
He said the achievement was a source of pride for Nigeria and the wider communications community.
The election was witnessed by several high-ranking African officials, including Namibia's Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Botswana's Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe and Namibia's Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus.
Established in 1975, APRA is the umbrella body for public relations and communication professionals across Africa, promoting ethical standards, professional excellence and collaboration within the industry.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) congratulated Ibietan on his re-election, describing the development as another milestone for both the institute and Nigeria on the international stage.
In a statement, NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, said Ibietan's re-election reflected the confidence of African public relations professionals in his leadership and his contributions to advancing the objectives of the continental body over the past two years.
"This is not just another milestone for Nigeria on the international stage, but a step further in Africa's resolve to becoming the strongest global voice in the communication ecosystem and a beacon of responsible communication," Neliaku said.
He also called on African countries to support the successful hosting of the 37th APRA Annual Conference and the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja later this year.
Ibietan's re-election comes as African communication professionals push for stronger industry standards following the adoption of the Africa Declaration on the Professionalisation of Public Relations and Responsible Communication, a framework aimed at promoting ethical and responsible communication while reflecting the continent's unique operating environment. Nigeria is among the declaration's founding signatories.
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