Nigeria Digital PR Awards Open Nominations, Unveil ‘Art of Influence’ Theme

The Nigeria Digital PR Summit (NDPRS) has opened nominations for the third Nigeria Digital PR Awards, spotlighting individuals, organisations and campaigns redefining public relations through creativity, technology, influence and measurable impact.
The awards, themed “Art of Influence,” will climax with an Awards Gala on October 16, 2026, the second day of the 11th Nigeria Digital PR Summit at The Zone, Gbagada Expressway, Lagos.
The latest edition comes as digital platforms, creators, data, artificial intelligence and online communities continue to reshape how organisations communicate, build trust and influence public conversations.
27 Categories to Capture the New Face of Digital PR
The 2026 awards feature 27 categories grouped into six broad areas: Creators, Culture & Influence; Campaigns; Public Sector & Public Affairs; The New PR Playbook; Organisations; and Individuals.
Among the categories are:
Creator of the Year
Digital PR Campaign of the Year
Best Youth Social Impact Campaign
Public Sector Digital Communication of the Year
Best Use of AI in Communication
PR Agency of the Year (Digital)
Digital PR Professional of the Year
Industry Impact Award
The expanded category structure reflects the Summit’s recognition that contemporary public relations is no longer driven solely by traditional media visibility, but increasingly by creators, communities, technology, data, culture and new forms of digital storytelling.
Summit Unveils First-Ever Theme Song
In another first for the Summit, organisers have unveiled “Onye Bu Nwa Nnem” by James Eze as the official theme song of the 2026 Nigeria Digital PR Summit.
Meaning “Who is my brother?”, the song combines the Yoruba talking drum and Igbo Oja flute, creating a cultural bridge that celebrates brotherhood and connection across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic communities.
The organisers said the song captures the broader spirit of the Summit—connection, identity, culture and influence—while introducing a new cultural dimension to the annual gathering.
Founder of the Nigeria Digital PR Summit, Segun McMedal, said the awards were evolving in line with the changing nature of influence and public relations.
“Influence today goes beyond visibility. It is about shaping conversations, building communities, earning trust and creating impact.”
McMedal said the 2026 awards were designed to recognise individuals, organisations and campaigns demonstrating “what the new PR playbook looks like in practice.”
He also expressed satisfaction with the breadth of the categories and the experience of the Selection Panel, while describing the theme song as another milestone for the Summit.
Five-Member Selection Panel Unveiled
The Summit has constituted a five-member Selection Panel to review entries and determine the winners.
Returning as Chair is Datari Ladejo, Founder and CEO of Fernhill Digital Consulting. He will be joined by Oluwamuyemi Orimolade, former Senior Business Program Manager, MarComms, Africa Development Center, Microsoft.
The newly appointed members are:
Thelma Okoh, Registrar/Secretary to Council, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria;
Adaoha Njemanze, Founder and Principal Consultant, NOVVA Media & Communications; and
Jeremiah Agada, Deputy Editor, Brand Communicator.
The composition brings together expertise spanning digital communications, marketing, corporate communications, media and strategic public relations.
Jury to Look Beyond Visibility and Numbers
Ladejo said the panel would assess entries based not merely on reach or online numbers, but on the strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact behind each campaign.
According to him, the awards should recognise work that points towards the future of digital public relations rather than simply celebrate past approaches.
“We will be looking beyond numbers and visibility to the quality of the thinking, creativity, execution and impact behind each entry.”
He said the digital environment had fundamentally changed how organisations communicate, build relationships and influence behaviour, making strategic and creative excellence increasingly important.
Who Can Enter?
Nominations are open to PR agencies, corporate communication teams, government and public-sector organisations, NGOs, startups and individual practitioners whose work demonstrates creativity, strategic thinking and measurable impact through digital platforms.
Nominations opened on August 17, 2026, and will close on September 18, 2026.
Winners will be announced and celebrated at the Awards Gala on October 16, 2026.
Nomination guidelines and submission details: Nigeria Digital PR Awards Nomination Form
Two-Day Summit to Explore the New Digital Influence
The third Nigeria Digital PR Awards form part of the 11th Nigeria Digital PR Summit, scheduled for October 15 and 16, 2026, under the theme:
“The Rise of Digital Influence: Culture, Creators and the New PR Playbook.”
The Summit is expected to attract communication professionals, business leaders, policymakers, technology innovators, media practitioners, marketing executives, creators, entrepreneurs and academics.
Beyond the awards, the event is positioned as a platform for industry learning, networking, thought leadership and professional development at a time when artificial intelligence, creator economies, social communities and data-driven communication are transforming the PR landscape.
The Ameh News Analysis: From Publicity to Influence
The evolution of the Nigeria Digital PR Awards points to a broader transformation within Nigeria’s communications industry.
The old PR equation—press release, media coverage and visibility—is rapidly giving way to a more complex model built around influence, trust, community, culture, data and measurable behavioural impact.
That shift explains the prominence of creators, youth social impact, AI, public-sector digital communication and digital PR professionals among the 2026 categories.
The real competition is therefore no longer simply about who can generate the loudest online conversation. It is increasingly about who can create meaningful conversations, sustain communities, influence behaviour and convert digital attention into lasting trust and impact.
With the theme “Art of Influence,” the 2026 awards are effectively placing a spotlight on the next chapter of Nigeria’s public relations industry—one in which technology provides the tools, culture supplies the context, creators drive conversations and strategic influence determines impact.
About Nigeria Digital PR Summit
The Nigeria Digital Public Relations Summit, a professional industry initiative of Upticomm Marketing Company Limited, is a major platform for advancing digital public relations practice, strategic communications and industry innovation through thought leadership, capacity building, research and professional networking.
Now in its 11th edition, the Summit provides opportunities for learning, networking, thought leadership and professional recognition through initiatives including the Nigeria Digital PR Awards, Digital PR Digest, Summit Academy and Quarterly Webinar Series.
ENDS