The Public Relations Women Foundation (PRWF) has urged communications professionals to move beyond media visibility and become strategic drivers of corporate success. At the foundation's Premium Members' Club (PMC) Soirée 3.0 in Lagos, 22 senior women in public relations and communications discussed industry developments, leadership transitions, and professional achievements. The event highlighted the evolving role of communications in business and the need for measurable contributions to business growth and revenue.
PRWF announced plans to host an invitation-only roundtable, "Beyond Visibility: A PRWF Roundtable on the Value of Communications," on November 18, 2026, in Abuja. The roundtable will bring together business executives and communications leaders from Africa, Asia, and other regions to examine how public relations practitioners can demonstrate the commercial value of their work. The discussions will also provide an opportunity for business leaders to articulate their expectations of communications professionals.
Participants at the soirée observed that corporate communications is increasingly assuming responsibilities traditionally managed by human resources departments. They maintained that the effectiveness of communications should no longer be assessed solely through media coverage, publicity, or audience impressions, but also through its contribution to revenue generation, market share, stakeholder confidence, and organisational objectives.
Lead Consultant at Stage Africa Media and Advisory, Omotoyosi Ajayi, emphasised the importance of demonstrating measurable business value. Stella Ijeoma Olugbemi of Egbin Power Plc highlighted the need to evaluate corporate social responsibility initiatives beyond their visibility. Chioma Nwachukwu of Japan Tobacco International encouraged practitioners to develop a stronger understanding of business operations and financial performance.
The gathering also provided an opportunity to celebrate professional milestones and leadership succession within the industry. Hosted by Victoria Uwadoka, the soirée marked her retirement from Nestlé and the introduction of her successor, Toju Egbebi, Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria. Uwadoka reflected on the importance of succession planning and encouraged established professionals to create opportunities for emerging leaders.
Executive Director of PRWF, Tolulope Olorundero, said the foundation remains committed to creating opportunities for women to build meaningful professional relationships, strengthen their leadership capacity, and support one another's career advancement. The foundation has expanded its activities fivefold since its restructuring, reflecting its growing engagement with women in the communications industry.
PRWF encouraged senior women in public relations and communications interested in joining its professional network to register for the 2027 Premium Members' Club waitlist through its website. The foundation maintained that strengthening women's leadership and advancing conversations around measurable business impact would remain central to its efforts to position communications as an essential function in organisational decision-making.
Key points
- PRWF calls for communications professionals to demonstrate measurable contributions to business growth and revenue.
- The foundation will host an invitation-only roundtable on the value of communications on November 18, 2026.
- PRWF aims to create opportunities for women to build meaningful professional relationships and strengthen their leadership capacity.
