WorldStage— Acting Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali, has emerged Nigeria’s Spokesperson of the Year 2026 at the 6th National Spokespersons Awards (NSA).
Sidi-Ali received the prestigious award at a ceremony held at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokespersons Digest.
The recognition marks the culmination of a three-year run in which Sidi-Ali has made history at the National Spokespersons Awards, progressing from sector-specific recognition to the overall Spokesperson of the Year title.
In 2024, she won the Outstanding Spokesperson – Banking Sector award, becoming the first female banking communicator to receive the honour, and retained the title in 2025.
Her latest recognition in 2026 acknowledges her broader contribution to strategic economic communication, public engagement and the projection of Nigeria’s monetary policy.
Sidi-Ali also made history in 2023 when CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, appointed her as the first female spokesperson in the apex bank’s 66-year history.
The 2026 award followed an evaluation based on impact, innovation and originality, campaign reach, and quality of evidence.
The awards jury commended Sidi-Ali’s role in strengthening the CBN’s communications architecture through regular Monetary Policy Committee briefings, stakeholder engagements, investor relations, media management and international advocacy.
Her communications initiatives also earned international recognition, with the CBN’s communications campaign emerging as a finalist at the 2026 International Public Relations Association (IPRA) Golden World Awards.
Earlier in 2026, Sidi-Ali was also named African Iconic Female Spokesperson of the Year at the African International Women Recognition Awards (AIWRA), following a continent-wide public voting process.
Chairman of the Awards Jury, Prof. Saudat Abdulbaqi, said the 2026 edition attracted 171 nominations from across Nigeria.
She said entries were subjected to an initial screening, with only those meeting the required standards of clarity, measurable impact and verifiable evidence progressing to subsequent stages.
According to her, the process produced 30 finalists across 15 categories and was designed to ensure that the awards reflected professional excellence rather than popularity.
Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, Alhaji Yushau A. Shuaib, said the National Spokespersons Awards and Economic Confidential Annual Lecture were established to promote informed national discourse, recognise professional excellence and strengthen strategic communication in Nigeria.
Shuaib also disclosed that the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) had granted the National Spokespersons Awards Conference Status, a development he said would enhance its international profile and position it among recognised global communication platforms.
The 2026 awards recognised communication professionals and organisations across the government, corporate and non-profit sectors.
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, who delivered the keynote address, received an award for championing anti-corruption reforms.
Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, won Crisis Communicator of the Year, while Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications to Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, won the Digital Communication category.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Folusho Adeogun of the Nigeria Customs Service, was named Young Communicator of the Year.
Other winners included Celestine Achi, who received the Author/Scholar award; Andy Odeh of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), who won the Corporate Communication category; and Basheer Luqman Olarewaju, who won the Social Media category.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) emerged winner in the Public Affairs category, while Integrated Indigo Limited was named PR Agency of the Year.
The Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN) won the Knowledge Hub award, while NITDA–CCC was recognised in Crisis Management.
Nigerian Women in PR received the Publication award, TETFund won the Media Relations category, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation was recognised for Employee Relations, while the NIPR Kaduna Chapter won the Event Management award.
The ceremony was chaired by the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, and attended by senior public officials, communication experts, diplomats, security chiefs, academics and public relations practitioners.
Those present included the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, who represented the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication and former Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd.); and Prof. Sule Ya’u Sule.
Sidi-Ali’s latest award places her among the leading communication professionals in Nigeria and marks another milestone in her career, following her historic appointment as the CBN’s first female spokesperson and successive recognition in the banking communication category.
