Nigeria Digital PR Summit Opens Nominations for Third Nigeria Digital PR Awards, Unveils Theme Song and Selection Panel.

The Nigeria Digital PR Summit (NDPRS) has opened nominations for the third Nigeria Digital PR Awards, recognising outstanding individuals, organisations and campaigns demonstrating excellence, innovation and impact in digital public relations.

The Awards, themed “Art of Influence,” will be presented at the Awards Gala on 16 October 2026, on the second day of the 11th Nigeria Digital PR Summit, holding at The Zone, Gbagada Expressway, Lagos.

The Summit has also unveiled “Onye Bu Nwa Nnem” by James Eze as its official theme song, the first time the Summit has had one. Meaning “Who is my brother?”, the song brings together the Yoruba talking drum and the Igbo Oja flute in a composition that celebrates the possibility of genuine brotherhood across Nigeria’s diverse ethnicities, capturing the spirit of connection, identity and influence that continues to define the Summit.

The Awards are designed to recognise the evolving practice of digital public relations, with this year’s 27 categories reflecting the growing influence of creators, culture, communities, technology, data and new communication practices.

The categories cover six broad areas: Creators, Culture & Influence; Campaigns; Public Sector & Public Affairs; The New PR Playbook; Organisations; and Individuals. They include 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 and Industry Impact Award, among others.

The Summit has also announced a five member Selection Panel that will review nominations and determine the winners. Datari Ladejo, Founder and CEO of Fernhill Digital Consulting, returns as Chair, alongside Oluwamuyemi Orimolade, former Senior Business Program Manager, MarComms, Africa Development Center, Microsoft.

The new members of the panel 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.

Speaking on the Awards, Segun McMedal, Founder, Nigeria Digital PR Summit, said the initiative was evolving alongside the changing nature of influence and public relations. He said, “Influence today goes beyond visibility. It is about shaping conversations, building communities, earning trust and creating impact. This year’s Awards are designed to recognise the people, organisations and campaigns demonstrating what the new PR playbook looks like in practice. We are particularly pleased with the breadth of this year’s categories and the experience our Selection Panel brings to the process. We are equally excited about the theme song, it is the first time the Summit has had one, and we are grateful to James Eze for partnering with us.”

Datari Ladejo said the Panel would focus on work that demonstrates both creativity and strategic value. “The digital environment has fundamentally changed how organisations communicate, build relationships and influence behaviour. We will be looking beyond numbers and visibility to the quality of the thinking, creativity, execution and impact behind each entry. The Awards should celebrate work that demonstrates where digital PR is heading, not simply where it has been.”

Nominations are open to PR agencies, corporate communication teams, government and public sector organisations, NGOs, startups and individual practitioners whose work has demonstrated creativity, strategic thinking and impact through digital platforms.

Nominations open on 17 August and close on 18 September 2026. The winners will be announced and celebrated at the Awards Gala on 16 October. For nomination guidelines and submission details, visit: https://forms.gle/E8SaPtEXQEpv821C9.

The third Nigeria Digital PR Awards form part of the 11th Nigeria Digital PR Summit, which will hold on 15 and 16 October under the theme “The Rise of Digital Influence: Culture, Creators and the New PR Playbook.” The Summit is expected to bring together communication professionals, business leaders, policymakers, technology innovators, media practitioners, marketing executives, creators, entrepreneurs and academics.