The Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala Awards (LAPRIGA) will hold its 2026 edition on December 11, with organisers introducing new award categories and merging some existing ones to create a more focused and competitive recognition programme.
The awards, organised by the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), will be held under the theme, “Redefining Innovation and Influence”.
Speaking at a media briefing to unveil the 2026 edition, Chairman of the NIPR Lagos State Chapter, Dr Samuel Layette, said the theme reflects the changing relationship between public relations, advertising, digital communication, content creation, technology and brand management.
Brandspur Brand News reports that Layette described modern innovation as more than simply introducing something new, saying communication professionals are increasingly expected to solve problems and demonstrate measurable impact.
He also noted that influence has changed significantly, with credibility, authenticity and audience engagement becoming increasingly important in determining how brands and organisations are perceived.
According to Layette, a single social media post or video can now trigger a national conversation and alter public perception more rapidly than some conventional communication campaigns. He attributed part of this shift to the growing use of artificial intelligence, data analytics, social listening and automation.
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However, he cautioned that the wider use of technology also creates greater pressure on communication professionals to produce original and credible work, particularly as AI-generated content becomes more common.
The Chairman of the LAPRIGA Selection Committee, Dr Dare Ogunyombo, said the 2026 awards will feature 15 regular categories alongside two honorary recognitions. Some categories from the previous edition have been combined, while new areas have been introduced.
Ogunyombo said the selection process would be based on fairness, integrity and professional merit, adding that the committee would pay particular attention to ensuring that recipients meet the required professional standards and are qualified NIPR members.
LAPRIGA is designed to recognise excellence across areas including strategic communication, digital communication, content creation, reputation management, public affairs, crisis communication, corporate communication and community engagement.
A former Chairman of the NIPR Lagos State Chapter, Mrs Comfort Nwankwo, reaffirmed the chapter’s commitment to improving the standard of the awards with each edition.
The December event is expected to bring together public relations practitioners and other professionals working across Nigeria’s wider communications and brand ecosystem as the industry continues to adapt to rapid technological and cultural changes.
