By Nkechi Eze
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), has clinched two Golden World Awards at the 2026 International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards in Athens, Greece.
The awards, presented in the Artificial Intelligence in Crisis Management and Publication categories, recognise the collaborative efforts behind an innovative national framework designed to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for crisis communication and management in an increasingly AI-driven information environment.
The recognition centres on the establishment of the Crisis Communication Hub (CCHub), which emerged from an empirical research project on artificial intelligence and crisis management supported by NITDA.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the use of artificial intelligence in crisis communication through tools for proactive social listening, early detection of emerging information threats and more strategic responses to communication emergencies.
It also addresses the growing challenges of misinformation, fake news and deepfakes, with the objective of protecting public trust and improving the ability of stakeholders to identify and respond to digital information threats.
The framework further provides for greater coordination among relevant stakeholders across the country, enabling them to work together in responding to communication crises in a faster and more structured manner.
The awards were formally received at the high-level ceremony held at the iconic Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens by Hajiya Hadiza Umar, representing NITDA, alongside Professor Yau Sule of IMPR.
The double recognition highlights Nigeria’s growing engagement with artificial intelligence and strategic communication as tools for addressing emerging challenges in the country’s digital information ecosystem.
It also reinforces NITDA’s commitment to advancing digital literacy, promoting ethical AI deployment and supporting innovative approaches to communication and crisis management across Nigeria.
