In a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s digital and public relations landscape, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has secured two prestigious awards at the 2026 International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards (GWA).
Held at the iconic Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, Greece, the ceremony recognised NITDA’s collaboration with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) for outstanding work in applying artificial intelligence to crisis communication.
NITDA, alongside its partners, claimed Golden World Awards in:
- Artificial Intelligence in Crisis Management
- Publication
The winning entry, titled “AI for Crisis Communication: From Study to Strategy,” was developed and submitted by IMPR on behalf of NITDA and CCC. The same project also earned IMPR the coveted Grand Prix which is the highest overall honour of the 2026 awards making IMPR the first Nigerian and West African public relations firm to achieve this distinction.
At the heart of the recognition is a 107-page empirical research study on Artificial Intelligence and crisis communication in Nigeria, conducted by IMPR CEO Yushau A. Shuaib with support from NITDA.
The study examined the dual-edged nature of AI along with its potential to amplify misinformation, deepfakes, and digital threats, as well as its power to detect and counter them. Its findings recommended a coordinated national framework.
The research directly led to the creation of the Crisis Communication Hub (CCHub), a multi-stakeholder national platform. CCHub focuses on:
- Proactive social listening and early threat detection using AI tools
- Monitoring and fact-checking fake news and harmful narratives
- Coordinating rapid, strategic responses to communication crises
- Strengthening smart governance and ethical AI deployment in public communication
The initiative was further endorsed at the First National Symposium on Digital Innovations in Crisis Communication convened by the CCC.
The awards were formally received in Athens by Hajiya Hadiza Umar (representing NITDA) and Professor Yau Sule (representing IMPR). The IPRA Golden World Awards, established in 1990, are among the most respected in the global public relations profession. They honour campaigns that demonstrate innovation, measurable impact, creativity, and the highest professional standards.
IPRA President Esther Cobbah highlighted the significance of the gathering in Athens Greece the city where the association’s Code of Conduct was developed 60 years earlier and praised entries that advanced ethical, technology-driven communication.
This dual win underscores NITDA’s leadership in promoting ethical AI use and digital resilience. In an era of rapid information disorder, the agency’s support for research-backed, AI-enabled crisis frameworks positions Nigeria as a proactive player in safeguarding public trust online.
It also reflects growing international recognition of Nigerian expertise in strategic communication and technology governance. The collaboration between a government agency (NITDA), a specialised research and PR firm (IMPR), and a crisis-focused centre (CCC) offers a model for public-private partnerships tackling complex digital challenges.
As misinformation and AI-generated content continue to shape public discourse, initiatives like the Crisis Communication Hub demonstrate how evidence-based strategy and technology can work together to protect societies. NITDA’s success in Athens sends a clear signal: Nigeria is not only adopting AI—it is shaping how it is applied responsibly in times of crisis.
