Kano Information Commissioner Waiya Emerges Finalist in National Spokespersons Awards

The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has emerged as one of the three finalists in the Crisis Communicator category of the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards (NS Awards).

The development was conveyed in a letter dated June 22, 2026, and signed by the Chairman of the National Spokespersons Awards Planning Committee, Segun Mcmedal.

According to the organisers, Comrade Waiya secured a place among the finalists following a rigorous evaluation process that assessed communication professionals across the country based on impact, innovation, reach and quality of evidence submitted.

The National Spokespersons Awards, organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Spokespersons Digest, is regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading platforms for recognising excellence, integrity and impact in public communication.

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Announcing the finalists, Chairperson of the Awards Jury, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, said 42 finalists emerged across 16 categories after the completion of the first and second phases of assessment in what has been described as one of the most competitive editions of the awards.

She explained that an initial screening process reduced the entries to 91 qualified submissions, which were subsequently subjected to a more detailed evaluation based on measurable impact, originality, audience reach and supporting evidence.

According to the organisers, the awards are jointly promoted by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Spokespersons Digest to celebrate outstanding achievements in strategic communication, media relations, public engagement, crisis management and stakeholder communication.

Following the assessment process, Comrade Waiya emerged among the top three finalists in the Crisis Communicator category alongside Lere Olayinka of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Dan Nwomeh of the Enugu State Government.

The recognition adds to a growing list of honours received by the Kano Information Commissioner since assuming office. His tenure has been marked by several communication initiatives aimed at improving information management, public engagement and government-citizen relations in Kano State.

Over the years, Waiya has received recognition from professional and media-related organisations, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Nigerian Society of Broadcasters (NSB), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), among others.

The winners of the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards are expected to be unveiled during the award ceremony scheduled to hold in August 2026.

The organisers noted that the awards continue to showcase the growing professionalism and sophistication of Nigeria’s public communication and reputation management ecosystem, while celebrating individuals and institutions that have distinguished themselves through excellence and innovation.

The Commissioner’s emergence as a finalist further highlights Kano State’s growing visibility in the field of strategic communication and public information management, the organisers reiterated.