Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali, the acting Director of Corporate Communications and Investors Relations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been named the overall Spokesperson of the Year at the 6th National Spokespersons Awards (NSA) 2026.
The ceremony, held at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja, marked an unprecedented achievement for Sidi-Ali, who completed a three-year award streak. After winning the Outstanding Spokesperson – Banking Sector award in both 2024 and 2025, she became the first communications professional to progress from a sector-specific award winner to the overall titleholder.
Sidi-Ali, who became the first female spokesperson in the CBN’s 66-year history following her appointment by Governor Olayemi Cardoso in 2023, was recognized for her role in shaping national economic communication, building public confidence in the apex bank, and managing media, international advocacy, and Monetary Policy Committee briefings.
The annual event was organized by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR)—publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, and Spokespersons Digest—alongside the 4th Economic Confidential Annual Lecture. During the event, IMPR Chief Executive Officer Alhaji Yushau A. Shuaib announced that the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) has granted the NSA official Conference Status, expanding its global profile. The CBN’s communications campaign was also named a finalist at the 2026 IPRA Golden World Awards, following Sidi-Ali’s earlier recognition as African Iconic Female Spokesperson of the Year at the 2026 African International Women Recognition Awards (AIWRA).
According to the Jury Chairperson, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, the 2026 awards evaluated 171 nationwide nominations across four core criteria: impact, innovation, campaign reach, and evidence quality. The process selected 30 finalists across 15 categories.
Other Notable Category Winners:
Crisis Communicator of the Year: Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya (Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs)
Corporate Communication: Andy Odeh (Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited)
Digital Communication: Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi (Office of the Borno State Governor)
Young Communicator of the Year: Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ASC) Folusho Adeogun (Nigeria Customs Service)
Author/Scholar Award: Celestine Achi (for work on AI and public relations)
Social Media: Basheer Luqman Olarewaju
Public Affairs: Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
PR Agency of the Year: Integrated Indigo Limited
Knowledge Hub: Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN)
Crisis Management: NITDA–CCC
Publication Award: Nigerian Women in PR
Media Relations: Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)
Employee Relations: Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation
Event Management: Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Kaduna Chapter
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), delivered the keynote address and received an award for anti-corruption reforms.
Chaired by NIPR President Dr. Ike Neliaku, the event was attended by high-ranking officials including Voice of Nigeria Director-General Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace (representing Information Minister Alhaji Mohammed Idris), Centre for Crisis Communication Chairman Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd.), and Professor Sule Ya’u Sule.
