Loading ...KANO, NIGERIA — The Kano State Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has achieved a major milestone after being named one of the top three finalists for the prestigious Crisis Communicator of the Year category at the upcoming 2026 National Spokespersons Awards (NS Awards).
The official announcement was communicated via a letter dated June 22, 2026, signed by Segun Mcmedal, the Chairman of the National Spokespersons Awards Planning Committee.
“I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected as a finalist in the Crisis Communicator category of the National Spokespersons Awards,” the letter read in part.
A Highly Competitive Selection Process
Organized jointly by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Spokespersons Digest—a publication of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR)—the NS Awards is Nigeria’s premier platform dedicated to celebrating excellence, integrity, and impact in strategic communication, public engagement, and reputation management across both public and private sectors.
According to reports by PRNigeria, the Chairman of the 2026 NS Awards Jury, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, revealed that this year’s edition is one of the most competitive since the awards’ inception. Following a rigorous two-phase assessment by a panel comprising academics, PR practitioners, journalists, and publishers, 42 finalists were selected across 16 categories from a vast pool of nationwide entries.
Professor Abdulbaqi explained that out of the numerous submissions, 91 entries initially cleared the eligibility screening by meeting strict benchmarks for clarity of objectives, demonstrable impact, and verifiable evidence.
A deeper, intensive second-stage evaluation assessed the nominees based on four core criteria:
- Impact of communication strategies
- Innovation and originality in messaging
- Reach across target demographics
- Quality of evidence submitted (reports, publications, and digital footprints)
The Battle for Best Crisis Communicator
Following the exhaustive screening process, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya emerged in the top three alongside two other prominent government spokespersons in Nigeria:
| Finalist | Representation |
| Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya | Kano State Government |
| Lere Olayinka | Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) |
| Dan Nwomeh | Enugu State Government |
A Track Record of Excellence in Kano
Now in his second year steering the affairs of the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Waiya’s shortlisting is seen as a testament to his proactive approach to state communication and crisis management.
His selection adds to a growing portfolio of accolades. In recognition of his innovative initiatives within the media and information sector, Waiya has previously been honored by various professional bodies, including:
- The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
- The Nigerian Society of Broadcasters (NSB)
- The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
- The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON)
The statement confirming his nomination was officially released on June 25, 2026, by Sani Abba Yola, the Director of Special Duties at the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs.
The final winners of the various categories will be unveiled at the main National Spokespersons Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place in August 2026.
