Nigerian communications expert, Omoniyi Ibietan has been re-elected to a top position at the African Public Relations Association (APRA), the continent’s umbrella body for public relations professionals.
Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan who is a journalist, writer, scholar, author, strategic communications professional as well as a retired Deputy Director at Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) where he served as Head of Media Relations, was returned as Secretary-General of the association during its General Assembly held in Swakopmund, Namibia, on the sidelines of the Effective Communicators Conference which ended on 17 July 2026. He will serve alongside re-elected President Arik Karani of Kenya and Vice-President Professor Michele Mekeme of Cameroon.
The General Assembly commended the outgoing Executive Council for its performance over the past two years, citing progress in strengthening national and regional PR associations across Africa and fostering collaboration with ICT ministers and other key stakeholders. In recognition of these achievements, delegates unanimously renewed the mandate of the association’s three principal officers.
Delegates also ratified a new APRA Constitution, which expands the Executive Council to include a Treasurer, an Assistant Secretary-General, and six regional coordinators representing East Africa, Francophone Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, North Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa. The re-elected council has been mandated to fill these new positions before APRA’s 37th Annual Conference, which will be held alongside the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja from 15 to 21 November 2026.
Speaking after the election, President Arik Karani thanked delegates and pledged that APRA would work with the African Union to support the implementation of the continent’s Digital Transformation Strategy. The association plans to leverage its network of communication professionals to promote public awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and build public trust around Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, congratulated Dr. Ibietan, describing his re-election as a “well-deserved recognition of his professionalism, dedication, and outstanding contributions to the public relations profession in Africa.” The minister noted that the honour is “a source of pride for Nigeria and the entire communications community.”
The re-election which took place during the Effective Communicators Conference was attended by Namibia’s Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Botswana’s Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe, and Namibia’s Information Minister Emma Theofelus.
Established in 1975, APRA works to promote professional standards, ethical practice, and collaboration among communication practitioners across the continent. The latest reforms come as governments and institutions increasingly recognise the role of strategic communication in driving digital transformation and combating misinformation.
