President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku; Founder and Convener of NECCI PR Roundtable, Nkechi Ali-Balogun; Founder and Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Africa, Israel Jaiye Opayemi; Publisher of Brand Communicator, Joshua Ajayi, alongside several other leading communications professionals, have been named among the honourees on the 2026 PR Power List.
Also recognised on the prestigious list are Mabel Adeteye, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank; Bukky George-Taylor, Founder and CEO, Robert Taylor Media; Rafiat Gawat, Head, Corporate Communications, TGI Group; Olayinka Ijabiyi, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank Group; Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Nestlé Nigeria and Tokunbo George-Taylor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SKOT Communications.
Others include Nene Bejide, Founder and Principal Consultant, Blanche Aigle Communications; Odion Aleobua, Chief Executive Officer, Creato Urban; Ozoemena Mbanefo, Founder and Provost, Oxygen (O2) Academy; Emeka Oparah, Vice President, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Africa; Oyinade Adegite, Chief Communication Officer, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO Plc); Sylva Ifedigbo, Director, Corporate Communications, Nigeria, IHS Towers; Tosin Adefeko, Founder and CEO, AT3 Resources (The Muvmnt Agency); and Chioma Yvonne Afe, Director, External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy Plc, among other distinguished professionals.
Unveiled by GLG Communications to commemorate World PR Day 2026, the annual PR Power List recognises 50 outstanding public relations and communications professionals whose work has shaped organisations, influenced public discourse and advanced the communications profession over the past year.
Now in its fifth edition, the PR Power List has established itself as Nigeria’s definitive annual recognition of excellence in public relations and strategic communications. Published in partnership with The Guardian, the initiative celebrates professionals within Nigeria and across the diaspora whose work continues to demonstrate strategic thinking, innovation and measurable impact.
The 2026 honourees were selected across four categories, Rising Voices, Changemakers, Community Impact and Fourth Estate, following a rigorous evaluation process involving extensive research, independent assessment and jury deliberations by respected communications leaders from Nigeria and across the world.
Commenting on the selection process, Kwame Senou, Executive Director at THOP and Jury President for the 2026 PR Power List, said the panel prioritised influence and lasting impact over visibility.
“The jury was not looking for visibility. Visibility is now the cheapest thing in our industry. We were looking for consequence, for the practitioner whose work changed a decision before it was taken, who protected an institution when it was unpopular, who shifted a national conversation without needing their name on it.”
Senou, who also serves as Regional Advisor at Edelman and is a member of the PRCA Global Advisory Board, added: “That is the entire difference between publicity and public relations. Publicity is something you do for the public. Public relations is something you build with one. Five editions in, this list knows the difference.”
Speaking on the milestone fifth edition, Omawumi Ogbe, Managing Partner of GLG Communications and Creator of the PR Power List, said the initiative was established to shine a spotlight on professionals whose work often happens behind the scenes but whose impact is felt across business, government and society.
“Five years ago, we set out to create a credible platform that recognises excellence in public relations and strategic communications. Today, the PR Power List is more than an annual list; it is 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,” she said.
Ogbe also acknowledged The Guardian, which has partnered with the initiative since its inception, as well as the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), THOP, Alliance Française and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) for their support of the landmark fifth edition.
According to the organisers, the Rising Voices category celebrates emerging professionals whose outstanding campaigns, bold ideas and career milestones are shaping the future of the profession. Community Impact recognises practitioners leveraging strategic communications to drive social change, influence policy and empower communities. Changemakers honours leaders redefining public relations through innovation, transformative leadership and measurable business results, while Fourth Estate celebrates journalists, editors, publishers, broadcasters and media leaders whose work strengthens public trust, shapes national conversations and elevates the communications profession.
The release of the 2026 PR Power List forms part of activities marking World PR Day 2026, including the World PR Day Global Summit and the PR Power List Soirée & Awards, where this year’s honourees will be celebrated alongside communications leaders from Nigeria and across the world.
The 2026 PR Power List was published exclusively by The Guardian in print and online on July 16, 2026.