PHOTOS: NIPR president, CBN’s Sidi-Ali, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, others make 2026 PR Power List
It celebrates professionals within Nigeria and across the diaspora whose work continues to demonstrate strategic thinking, innovation and measurable impact.
The conversation centred on ‘Commanding the Stage: Strategic PR and New Africa Narrative’.
Busari spoke on the importance of communication as the foundation for every storytelling in public relations practice, saying, “your story is part of the narrative structure”.
The 2026 PR Power List recognises professionals whose work has shaped organisations, influenced public discourse and advanced the communications profession over the past year.
On her part, Marie argued that Africa must be able to enrich itself through proper infrastructure and solve its logistics challenges worldwide.
Ogazechi said: “We often forget our brands and identity, which in turn does not make the continent less competitive. Africans have the propensity to tell our stories. However, we do not own the tools or the algorithm. We can create our own platforms.”
Speaking during the keynote conversation, Neliaku said in the last 48 years, PR practice has grown from “errand boys with press releases” into a leadership function.
Neliaku said PR practitioners must have values that they add to their organisations with deep understanding of the power of the operating environment.
“PR has become the profession, institution to beat. PR has become a leadership function. PR is sitting at the table and working as a councillor now. We are not errand boys. We must internalise it before putting it out. We have earned dignity for our profession,” he said.
“Having a mentality. Value follows relevance. Always have values to add. Once your value depreciates, your relevance is gone. Understand the power of the operating environment.”
The NIPR president added that for impactful public relations practice, conversations must “shift a bit from strategic communication to development communication”.
The organisers stated that the 2026 honourees were selected across four categories, including ‘Rising Voices, Changemakers, Community Impact, and Fourth Estate’.
Commenting on the selection process, Kwame Senou, executive director at THOP, said the awardees are practitioners whose work changed a decision before it was taken and shifted a national conversation without needing their names on it.
“That is the entire difference between publicity and public relations. Communications Publicity is something you do to the public. Public relations is something you build with one. Five editions in, this list knows the difference,” he said.
Omawumi Ogbe, managing partner of GLG Communications and Creator of the PR Power List, said the platform was established to spotlight professionals whose work has impacted business, government and society.
“Five years ago, we set out to create a credible platform that recognises excellence in public relations and strategic communications,” Ogbe said.
“Today, the PR Power List has become more than an annual list; it has become a record of the people shaping our profession and raising the standard of strategic communications in Nigeria.
“We are proud to celebrate this year’s honourees and grateful to everyone who has contributed to building the PR Power List into what it has become.”
See full list:
RISING VOICES – The Rising Voices category recognises emerging leaders and accomplished practitioners whose work has reached new heights through standout campaigns, bold career milestones, breakthrough ideas, and consistent excellence.
1. Adaoha Njemanze
Founder & Principal Consultant, NOVVA Media & Communications
2. Adeola Adejokun
Head, Communications, FCMB Group
3. Anne Ezeh
Director, Communications and Events, Afreximbank
4. Bamidele Odugbesan
Communications, Media and NGO Relations Manager, Renaissance Africa Energy Company
5. Chioma Yvonne Afe
Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc
6. Dr. Meksley Nwagboh
Group Head, Corporate Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc
7. Emmanuel Isibor
Ag. Senior Media Manager, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc
8. Femi Adeniran
Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Nigeria
9. Franklin Ozekhome
Executive Vice President, Strategy & Innovation, Chain Reactions Africa
10. Franklyn Ginger-Eke
Founder & Chief Strategist, The Rainbow Strategy
11. Hadiza Umar
Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
12. Hakama Sidi-Ali
Acting Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Central Bank of Nigeria
13. Muyiwa Akande
Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group
14. Nene Bejide
Founder & Principal Consultant, Blanche Aigle Communications
15. Njideka Akabogu
Regional Manager, East Africa, BHM Holdings
16. Olayinka Ijabiyi
Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank Group
17. Omotola Oyebanjo
Global Head of Communications, CIMMYT
18. Oyinade Adegite
Chief Communication Officer, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO Plc)
19. Sylva Ifedigbo
Director, Corporate Communications, Nigeria, IHS Towers
20. Tosin Adefeko
Founder & CEO, AT3 Resources (The Muvmnt Agency)
CHANGEMAKERS – Changemakers recognises leaders who are redefining the communications profession through innovation, bold thinking, and measurable results.
21. Anthony Chiejina
Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Dangote Group
22. Bukky George-Taylor
Founder & CEO, Robert Taylor Media
23. Celestine Achi
Director of Public Relations | CEO, Cihan Media Communications
24. Chinedu Zephaniah Ph.D
Group Head of Corporate Communications @ Zenith Bank Plc
25. Damilola Ogunbiyi
Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) | UN Special Representative for Sustainable Energy
26. Emeka Oparah
Vice President, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Africa
27. Ike Neliaku PhD
President & Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
28. Ijeoma Balogun
Founder & CEO, Redrick Public Relations
29. Israel Jaiye Opayemi
Founder & Chief Strategist, Chain Reactions Africa
30. Ken Egbas
Founder & CEO, SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards
31. Mabel Adeteye
Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank
32. Nkechi Ali-Balogun
Founder & Convener, NECCI PR Roundtable
33. Nnenna Ukoha
Director & Head, Public Affairs Department, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)
34. Odion Aleobua
Chief Executive Officer, Creato Urban
35. Ozoemena Mbanefo
Founder & Provost, Oxygen (O2) Academy
36. Rafiat Gawat
Head, Corporate Communications, TGI Group
37. Rasheed Bolarinwa
Immediate Past President, Association of Corporate & Marketing Communications Professionals in Banks (ACAMB)
38. Tobi Demuren
Global Head of Advocacy Marketing (Agencies), LinkedIn
39. Tolu Alero Ladipo
Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, UBA
40. Tokunbo George-Taylor
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, SKOT Communications
41. Victoria Uwadoka
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Sustainability Lead, Nestle
42. Yushau Shuaib
Founder and CEO of PRNigeria.
COMMUNITY IMPACT – Community Impact honours professionals using strategic communications to advance social causes, strengthen communities, influence policy, and create measurable change
43. John Ajayi (Posthumous)
Editor-in-Chief & Publisher, Marketing Edge
44. Joshua Ajayi
Publisher, Brand Communicator
45. Peter Ukhurebor
Founder & MD, Black at Cannes
46. Tolulope Olorundero
CEO, Principal Consultant, Mosron Communications & Founder, Nigerian Women in PR
47. Tomiwa Aladekomo
CEO of Big Cabal Media, the parent company of TechCabal and Zikoko.
FOURTH ESTATE – The Fourth Estate category honours journalists, editors, publishers, broadcasters, and digital media leaders whose work informs the public, challenges power, shapes national conversations, and elevates the communications profession.
48. ARISE TV
49. BusinessDay
50. Nairametrics
