Honourees will take the spotlight at the Nigeria Digital PR Awards Gala; a premium evening celebrating the individuals, organizations, and campaigns that defined digital PR in the past year, marking the 10th Nigeria Digital PR Summit.

Adding flair to the night is the Digital PR Fashion Runway; a bold fusion of fashion, technology, and communications that promises an unforgettable experience.

This year, 19 award categories will honour campaigns across four classes including Campaign Excellence Awards, Sector Excellence Awards, Innovation and Technology Awards, and Individual & Professional Excellence Awards.

The Summit also unveiled a three-member Selection Panel responsible for reviewing entries and shortlisting winners. The panel is chaired by the Founder and CEO, Fernhill Digital Consulting, Datari Ladejo, and includes the former Senior Business Program Manager, MarComms, Africa Development Center (ADC – West), Microsoft, Oluwamuyemi Orimolade; and Founder/Lead Partner, PuzzleCraft PR and Communications, Beatrice Okpara.

Nominations are open to agencies, corporate communication teams, NGOs, startups, and individual practitioners whose work has delivered measurable results and demonstrated creativity in leveraging digital platforms.

Nominations run from September 1 – 8, 2025. Shortlisted nominees will be announced during the Awards Gala on October 16, 2025, at the Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island. For entry guidelines and submission details, visit here.

Segun McMedal, founder, Nigeria Digital PR Summit, said,

“We are excited to launch this year’s call for nominations and to welcome such distinguished professionals to the Selection Panel. This panel reflects the breadth of expertise driving digital communication in Nigeria, and its stewardship will ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process.”

The seven categories in the Campaign Excellence Awards include Best Overall Digital PR Campaign, Best Brand Advocacy Campaign, Best Crisis Communication in Private Organisations, Best Crisis Communication in Government, Best Public Affairs Campaign, Youth Impact Award for Social Change, Outstanding Influencer Collaboration, and Best Use of Content Marketing.

Categories in the Sector Excellence Awards include Excellence in Public Service Digital Campaign, Digital PR Excellence in Telecom Services, Digital PR Excellence in Financial Services, and Sustainability and ESG Communication Excellence.

The Innovation and Technology Awards category include Innovative Use of Technology in PR, Best Digital Engagement with Citizens, Outstanding Digital Customer Experience, and Creative Use of Short-Form Video in PR.

The Individual and Professional Excellence Awards include Emerging Digital PR Professional of the Year and Digital PR Professional of the Year.

The book, “The Science of Public Relations” is now available in paperback format in Nigeria and as a digital edition for readers globally.

Rooted in over a decade of hands-on experience, this definitive guide helps PR and communications professionals move beyond assumptions and perception-based reporting toward data-driven, objective-led measurement that commands credibility in boardrooms.

As  Chief Media Analyst at P+ Measurement Services, Odiakose has long advocated for evidence-based PR strategies in Africa.

His book provides practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and performance audit techniques that support a shift from vanity metrics to Return on Objective (ROO).

“Public relations has often been underestimated due to the lack of measurable outcomes,” said Odiakose. “This book delivers a real-world toolkit for proving value and positioning PR as a strategic driver of results.”

In a major endorsement, respected PR consultant and industry leader McMedal Olusegun has been appointed as the official advocacy ambassador for the book.

Olusegun will lead efforts to promote its adoption across academic institutions, corporate organizations, and government agencies seeking to reform how communication success is evaluated and reported.

“This book comes at a crucial time for our profession,” said Olusegun. “It demystifies measurement and gives every PR professional—from entry-level to executive—the tools to show impact, not just effort.”

Readers of The Science of Public Relations will gain actionable insights grounded in global frameworks like AMEC, case studies tailored to African and international markets, guidance on building PR dashboards, auditing campaign performance, and a shift in focus from output to outcomes—moving from guesswork to data-led credibility.

• Pre-order the Paperback for Nigeria here.
• Order the Digital copy for global access here.

Philip Odiakose is Chief Media Analyst at P+ Measurement Services and a global voice in media intelligence. He is a member of the AMEC Member Lab, and a driving force behind PR measurement education in Africa.

With over two decades of experience, McMedal brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to this ambassadorial role.

He is the Lead Partner at Upticomm Marketing Company, and the immediate past Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

Among his notable contributions to the PR industry are the founding of the prestigious Lagos Public Relations Industry Gala and Awards (LaPRIGA) and the Lagos Digital Public Relations Summit, now the Nigeria Digital Public Relations Summit, which has trained over 730 Digital PR Ambassadors since 2016.

As Strategic Book Ambassador, Segun McMedal will spearhead efforts to integrate the book into academic curricula across Nigerian universities and promote its adoption among PR professionals.

His role encompasses securing endorsements from key PR bodies such as NIPR, PRCAN, and ARCON, facilitating university engagements, and organizing industry events to highlight the book’s relevance.

“This partnership is a strategic step towards enriching PR measurement education and practice in Nigeria and the rest of Africa,” said Philip Odiakose, the author. “Segun McMedal’s vast experience and influence in the industry make him the ideal ambassador to champion this cause.”

McMedal expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating that,

“I am honoured to support this initiative, which aims to elevate the standards of public relations. Measuring the impact of PR remains a major challenge – from the absence of standardized evaluation frameworks to the complexity of assessing intangible outcomes like trust and reputation, and the ongoing need to link PR efforts to organizational objectives. This book is an invaluable resource that addresses these critical gaps and bring clarity to a critical aspect of our practice. I look forward to facilitating its widespread adoption.”

This partnership is poised to significantly expand the reach and influence of the book. With McMedal’s leadership and industry network, The Science of Public Relations is well-positioned to become a vital resource for communications professionals, educators, and students seeking to deepen their understanding of PR measurement and evaluation.

Philip Odiakose is a highly regarded media intelligence and evaluation professional with a track record of delivering insights for top brands across multiple sectors.

He holds certifications in Public Relations Evaluation and Improvement Techniques from the Metropolitan School of Business and Management, UK, and in Marketing and Communication from the International Business Management Institute, Berlin, Germany.

The Summit, which aims to place Nigeria at the forefront of digital public relations by examining how AI is reshaping the industry while underscoring the enduring significance of human connections, is supported by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital and New Media, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on New Media, along with leading media and technology firms and global digital marketing communications agencies.

The faculty boasts extensive experience in brand management, corporate communications, and marketing, coupled with their in-depth knowledge of leveraging digital platforms for brand storytelling and reputation management, making them ideal contributors to this important conversation.

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director-general/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is the keynote speaker.

Special guests of honour expected at the Summit include the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital Communications, Engagement, and New Media Strategy, O’tega Ogra, and the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat.

This year’s faculty members include the Co-founder/CEO, Optimus AI Lab, Lanre Adelanwa Basamta; Managing Partner, TPT International, Adetokunbo Modupe; Head, Digital Marketing, Olam Nigeria, Dotun Babatunde; Head Digital Media and Insight, Sub-Saharan Africa, FrieslandCampina, Ifeoluwa Esther Obafemi; and Director of Content, Pulse Nigeria, Damilola Dawson; and Founder/CEO, The Republic Media Limited, Monday Michaels Ashibogwu.

Others are the Head of Media, Sub-Saharan Africa, Reckitt, Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh; Head Brand and Stakeholder Management, FirstBank of Nigeria, Olayinka Ijabiyi; Brand and Marketing Communications, Wema Bank, Mabel Adeleye; Chief Executive Officer, Cihan Media Group, Celestine Achi; Global Senior Brand Manager, The Heineken Company, Sandra Amachree; Managing Director, Skot Communications, Tokunboh George-Taylor; Head, Corporate Communications, TGI Group, Rafiat Gawat, and Co-founder and Content Chief, Technext, David Afolayan.

The Commissioner for Communications, Kwara State, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju; Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kogi State, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo; Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta; and Chief Communications Officer, GTCO Plc, Oyinade Adegite (Ogunade) are also expected to speak at the Summit.

Special highlights in this edition include opening ceremonies, keynote speeches, masterclasses, and tech showcase drawing a diverse audience of PR and communications professionals, marketing experts, business leaders, content creators, and students. Another highlight includes the unveiling of the third edition of the Digital PR Digest, the official magazine of the Summit, featuring compelling stories, industry developments, and practical guides on digital public relations.

The co-convener and Chairman, Lagos NIPR, Comfort Obot Nwankwo, remarked that “The 9th Lagos Digital PR Summit reflects our ongoing commitment to driving the future of public relations in the digital age. Our faculty members are some of the brightest minds in the field, and they bring an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience. This year’s theme resonates deeply as it underscores the human aspect of communication in the midst of AI’s growing role in the industry.”

Segun McMedal, the president, Upticomm Marketing Company, and Convener of the Summit, stated that “As we look toward the future, the 9th Lagos Digital PR Summit serves as a critical platform for industry professionals to equip themselves with the skills necessary for navigating the digital landscape. This year’s faculty lineup will address the dynamic intersection of AI and human-driven communications, ensuring participants leave with practical insights on building trust and authenticity in an increasingly digital world.”

This transformation reflects the Summit’s commitment to innovation, professionalism, and adaptability, enhancing its ability to serve stakeholders and stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The redesigned logo encapsulates the core values of the Summit. A bold red circle at the center symbolizes energy, passion, and focus, representing the Summit’s drive to ignite impactful conversations and inspire the PR industry to embrace digital transformation.

The red element also conveys urgency, encouraging PR professionals to adopt new strategies in a rapidly changing environment.

Encircling the red core are geometric dark blue segments that stand for stability, trust, and professionalism – key pillars of the public relations industry. This deep blue emphasizes the Summit’s reputation as a trusted source of knowledge and expertise, ensuring reliability for both participants and partners.

The modern sans-serif font underscores clarity and accessibility, key features of the Summit’s content and delivery. The vertical layout of the logo, with the name: “Lagos Digital Public Relations Summit” aligned alongside the emblem, represents balance, structure, and dependability – hallmarks of the Summit’s approach to knowledge-sharing and industry leadership.

The new visual identity reflects the Summit’s forward-thinking mission and focus on real-world applications of digital PR strategies.

As the 9th Lagos Digital PR Summit approaches, scheduled for October 16–17, 2024, at the MUSON Center in Lagos, the rebranding marks a significant milestone in its mission to lead conversations on leveraging AI, data analytics, and digital platforms for authentic connections and reputation management.

“This rebranding reflects the evolution of the Summit. The new identity captures the energy, innovation, and professionalism that we aim to instill in every session, workshop, and discussion at the event,” said Segun McMedal, the president, Upticomm Marketing Company. “As we prepare for the 9th Lagos Digital PR Summit, this vibrant new look speaks to our commitment to staying ahead of the curve and fostering meaningful, future-oriented conversations around PR and communication,” he enthused.

McMedal is a well-grounded Public Relations practitioner with several years of cognate experience, providing innovative marketing communications solutions to clients across various sectors of the economy.

He is the immediate past Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations; the leading and most populated branch accounting for over 60 per cent of the members of the Institute across the country.

The Executive Director, Media Communications, Chenist Communications, Adebayo Sowemimo, while commenting on the new appointment, said “We are delighted to welcome McMedal on board this young but very promising company with a clear vision and mission to contribute positively to the marketing communications space and expand the practice in Nigeria.

“We are confident that he will be a great asset, considering his robust experience that has spanned over two decades, which will invariably rub off immensely on the company’s growth trajectory in the nearest future.”

Commenting on his new role, Segun McMedal said, “I am very excited joining Chenist Communications as the Executive Director, Business Development, Operations and Innovations. The new role will provide me with an opportunity to bring to bear my vast wealth of experience in Nigeria’s Marketing Communications industry, with a deliberate effort to attract new business opportunities for the company while strengthening existing relationships. I am impressed with the level of team spirit that exists in Chenist and together we shall achieve more.

“The expectation is high but with the collaboration of management and team members, the journey promises to be an interesting one as we make a deliberate effort to expand our business portfolios to a lofty and enviable height”, McMedal added.

A public relations practitioner of high repute having worked with leading communications firms, McMedal is listed among the 50 most Influential Marketing Communications Practitioners in Nigeria. He is a member of relevant professional associations including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).