The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has unveiled the 2026 Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards (LAPRIGA), scheduled to hold on Friday, 11 December 2026, at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, with a renewed commitment to celebrating innovation, originality, excellence and measurable influence across the communication industry.

The 2026 edition, which marks another significant chapter in the evolution of the prestigious industry awards, is themed “Redefining Innovation and Influence.”

Speaking at a media briefing to formally unveil the event, Chairman of the Lagos NIPR, Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, fnipr, frpa, said the theme was carefully chosen against the backdrop of profound changes taking place across public relations, advertising, digital communication, content creation, technology and brand management.

According to him, the boundaries between these disciplines are becoming increasingly fluid, requiring communication professionals to continually rethink how they create 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.”

Dr. Ayetutu noted that influence in today’s communication environment is no longer determined merely by the size of an organisation’s media budget or its visibility in traditional media. Rather, it is increasingly earned through credibility, relevance, authenticity, engagement and the ability to shape conversations.

He observed that artificial intelligence, data analytics, social listening, automation and other emerging technologies are fundamentally transforming how practitioners research, create, distribute and measure communication.

“Technology has given practitioners unprecedented opportunities to reach and engage audiences, but it has also created new responsibilities,” he said, stressing that in an era where artificial intelligence can generate content within seconds, originality, authenticity and insight have become even more valuable.

The Chairman explained that LaPRIGA 2026 would therefore celebrate not merely activity or visibility, but creativity, value and 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?’”

*Expanded categories to reflect contemporary communication practice*

A major highlight of LAPRIGA 2026 is the introduction of new and expanded award categories designed to reflect the breadth and changing realities of contemporary public relations and communication practice.

The awards will recognise outstanding achievements across areas including 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.

There will also be honorary recognitions, including the Lagos PR Personality of the Year and Lifetime PR Contribution Award, celebrating individuals whose sustained contributions have advanced the profession.

Dr. Ayetutu commended the LAPRIGA 2026 Awards Selection Committee, led by Dr. Dare Ogunyombo, for its work in reviewing and expanding the categories.

He said the review was necessary to ensure that LAPRIGA remains inclusive, credible and representative of the depth and diversity of modern communication practice.

*Planning Committee promises the best LAPRIGA yet*

Chairman of the LAPRIGA 2026 Planning and Fund-Raising Committee, Mr. Tope Akande, assured stakeholders that his committee is fully committed to delivering an exceptional event.

Akande said the committee has been working diligently to ensure that LaPRIGA 2026 becomes the best edition of the awards so far, with careful attention being paid to planning, stakeholder engagement, partnerships, guest experience and the overall delivery of the event.

He called on communication professionals, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to support and participate in the initiative, noting that LaPRIGA provides an important platform for celebrating the people and ideas shaping the future of communication.

*Awards process to emphasise strategy, creativity and measurable impact*

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

He explained that the awards would place strong emphasis on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and measurable impact, rather than visibility alone.

Entries will be assessed across key areas including Strategy and Objectives, Creativity and Innovation, Execution and Implementation, and Impact and Measurement, ensuring that winning entries demonstrate both professional excellence and tangible value.

The selection framework also recognises emerging areas of practice, including the innovative deployment 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, 31 August 2026, and close on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

The awards will consider PR and marketing communication campaigns, activities and programmes initiated and concluded between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026.

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

*A celebration of the communication industry*

Beyond the awards, LaPRIGA 2026 promises to be an evening of glamour, networking and celebration, bringing together leading public relations practitioners, advertising professionals, corporate communicators, journalists, government communication specialists, brand managers, digital communication experts, academics, business leaders and other stakeholders.

*Dr. Ayetutu described LAPRIGA as more than an awards ceremony.*

“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 make LAPRIGA 2026 a collective celebration of 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.”

The Lagos NIPR Chairman expressed confidence that the 2026 edition would set a new benchmark for the awards and reaffirm Lagos’ position as a leading hub of professional communication excellence.