Nigeria’s Gidado Shuaib Appointed IPRA-UN Youth Representative Ahead of Golden World Awards

Nigerian media entrepreneur Gidado Shuaib has been appointed a United Nations Youth Representative by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), ahead of the 2026 Golden World Awards (GWA) scheduled to hold in Athens, Greece.

The appointment was formally conveyed by IPRA Secretary-General Philip Sheppard.

Sheppard said Shuaib would work with IPRA’s UN Bureau in New York, represented by Jim McQueeny and Matt Cossel, to strengthen the association’s engagement with the United Nations on youth-focused initiatives and global development issues.

The appointment comes as Nigerian public relations agencies prepare for the 2026 Golden World Awards, with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) and LSF PR shortlisted in several categories.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, is also scheduled to receive a special honour at the Athens ceremony on September 25, 2026.

Shuaib currently serves as Special Assistant to the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), where he is involved in strategic communications, media management, stakeholder engagement and public affairs.

He also works as a Digital Communications Specialist at Baze University and provides consultancy services to organisations including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Nigeria’s chapter of Transparency International.

He is the Publisher and CEO of Youths Digest, which produces News Digest Nigeria, and the founder of the Campus Journalism Awards, now in its eighth edition.

The initiative has become a platform for mentoring and recognising emerging journalists while promoting ethical journalism and responsible public discourse.

Shuaib’s professional career has included work with major Nigerian and international news organisations, including the BBC, Premium Times and Daily Trust. He has also contributed to public discussions on governance, youth development and strategic communication through opinion articles, media commentary and interviews.

He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), African Public Relations Association (APRA) and IPRA.

Beyond journalism, Shuaib convenes the Campus Journalism Dialogues, edits Musings of Young Minds and advocates greater civic participation among young Nigerians.

In 2015, he represented Nigeria at the United Nations Youth Assembly, where he joined young leaders from around the world to discuss sustainable development and international policy.

Shuaib, who holds the chieftaincy title of Shettiman Dukawuya, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Baze University, Abuja, and a Master’s degree in Media, Campaigning and Social Change from the University of Westminster, London. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Development Communication at Nasarawa State University.

Founded in 1955, IPRA promotes professional standards, ethical practice and international cooperation within the public relations industry. Through its UN Bureau, the association engages with the United Nations system and promotes greater youth participation in global development conversations.