Kano Information Commissioner Waiya Shortlisted Among Top Three Crisis Communicators in Nigeria

By Sani Abba Yola

The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has been named one of the three finalists in the Crisis Communicator category of the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards (NS Awards), a major recognition of excellence in public communication and reputation management in Nigeria.

Waiya’s nomination was conveyed in a letter dated June 22, 2026, signed by the Chairman of the National Spokespersons Awards Planning Committee, Segun Mcmedal, informing him of his selection as a finalist in one of the awards’ most competitive categories.

The National Spokespersons Awards, organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Spokespersons Digest, is regarded as Nigeria’s foremost platform for recognising outstanding achievements in strategic communication, media relations, and public engagement.

According to PRNigeria, the Chairman of the Awards Jury, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, announced the finalists after the completion of the first and second phases of the assessment process.

This year’s exercise produced 42 finalists across 16 categories, making it one of the most fiercely contested editions since the awards were established.

Jointly organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Spokespersons Digest, the awards celebrate individuals and organisations that have demonstrated excellence in public communication, crisis management, stakeholder engagement, digital communication, and reputation management across the public and private sectors.

Professor Abdulbaqi disclosed that out of numerous submissions, 91 entries successfully passed the initial eligibility stage after meeting the required standards of clarity, measurable impact, and verifiable evidence. The shortlisted entries then underwent a rigorous second-round evaluation based on four key criteria: impact, innovation and originality, reach, and the quality of supporting evidence.

Following the comprehensive assessment, Lere Olayinka of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dan Nwomeh of the Enugu State Government, and Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya of the Kano State Government emerged as the three finalists in the Crisis Communicator category.

The winners of the various categories will be announced during the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards ceremony, scheduled to hold in August 2026.

Waiya’s latest recognition further reinforces his growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading public communication professionals. Since assuming office as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs nearly two years ago, he has spearheaded several communication and public engagement initiatives aimed at enhancing government-citizen relations and strengthening information management in Kano State.

His contributions have earned him several honours from professional and media organisations, 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), among others.

The latest nomination is seen as another significant milestone in his commitment to promoting effective public communication and professional excellence in government service.