Susan Abayomi
IHS Nigeria has won the Best Culture Moment Campaign award at the Third Nigeria Digital PR Awards, in recognition of its efforts to promote digital innovation and preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage through strategic partnerships and public engagement.
The award was presented on Friday, October 16, 2026, during the 11th Nigeria Digital Public Relations Summit and its accompanying awards ceremony in Lagos. The recognition followed the company’s collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) on the launch of the National Digital Museum and the commissioning of the renovated National Museum in Lagos.
The two-day summit, held from October 15 to 16, brought together communication professionals, industry leaders and other stakeholders to discuss developments in the digital landscape, the changing dynamics of influence and the role of strategic communication in shaping public perception.
Speaking during a panel session titled Influence Conversations, IHS Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Communications, Sylva Ifedigbo, emphasised the importance of building stakeholder relationships and earning public trust before reputational challenges arise.
He noted that organisations must maintain meaningful engagement with their stakeholders during normal operations rather than waiting until a crisis occurs.
“To earn trust before a reputation challenge or crisis, you need to show up long before something has gone wrong. Trust is built in ordinary moments,” Ifedigbo said.
Drawing from the telecommunications infrastructure sector, he explained that the infrastructure supporting everyday digital communication often goes unnoticed, despite its critical role in connecting people and enabling communication.
He highlighted how telecommunications infrastructure makes it possible for people to make calls, exchange text messages and communicate across different locations, reinforcing IHS Nigeria’s positioning as the backbone of digital possibilities.
“People only protect what they understand,” he said, stressing the need for organisations to communicate the value of their services in ways that stakeholders can readily appreciate.
Ifedigbo also underscored the importance of internal communication, describing employees as credible voices whose experiences and perspectives significantly influence an organisation’s reputation.
He urged companies to give greater attention to their workforce, noting that effective corporate communication should begin with listening to employees rather than concentrating primarily on external audiences and media engagement.
“I will always, always, always vote for the power of the internal audience. I will say, I will listen to the employees first,” he said.
IHS Nigeria’s award-winning campaign demonstrated how digital technology and strategic collaboration can help make Nigeria’s cultural heritage more accessible to the public. The partnership with NCMM supported initiatives aimed at connecting more people with the country’s history through digital innovation and improved museum facilities.
At the awards ceremony, Convener of the Nigeria Digital Public Relations Summit, Segun McMedal, reflected on the platform’s development since its beginnings in 2016 as the New Media PR Network Communities. He noted its subsequent evolution into the Nigeria Digital Public Relations Summit, highlighting its contribution to helping communication professionals adapt to changes in the digital ecosystem while promoting responsible and ethical use of digital platforms.
McMedal also acknowledged the contributions of sponsors, including IHS Nigeria, recognising their support in sustaining the summit and advancing its objectives.
Similarly, Chairman of the Summit’s Advisory Council and Lead Partner at CMC Connect LLP, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, commended the organisations and stakeholders whose contributions had supported the platform’s growth and the success of its activities. He specifically acknowledged IHS Nigeria for its societal contributions and support for the summit.
The recognition further highlights IHS Nigeria’s commitment to digital innovation, effective stakeholder engagement and responsible corporate communication. By combining technological advancement with cultural preservation, the company continues to demonstrate the potential of strategic partnerships to promote public access to Nigeria’s heritage and contribute to the country’s broader digital development.
