PRCAN Practice Code 2026 is now in force nationwide, with penalties for unpaid pitches, IP theft and ethical breaches referred to a joint panel

The Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria announced that the Public Relations Consultancy Practice Code 2026 is in force, a PRCAN Practice Code the association said would set rules for agency-client work and protect client spend.

Also read: Nigeria’s Current Account Surplus Rises to $7.54bn

The PRCAN Executive Committee adopted the code on 11 September 2026 under NIPR Bye-Law No. 3 of 1993, as amended in 2026.

PRCAN said the text gives companies, marketing directors and procurement teams a common standard for hiring consultancies and removes some of the grey areas in the market.

Chief Executive Officer Nkechi Ali-Balogun, PhD, fnipr, said the start date is binding. “The Public Relations Consultancy Practice Code 2026 formally enters into force across the Federal Republic of Nigeria effective September 11, 2026. All consultancy engagements, competitive pitch invitations, RFP issuances, and professional agency operations initiated on or after this date shall strictly comply with the provisions of the Code.”

Nkechi Ali-Balogun said enforcement sits with the Consultancy Practice Standards Panel and the NIPR Council.

“Adherence to this Code is a statutory requirement tied to NIPR Bye-Law No. 3 (2026). Non-compliance, unauthorized pitch solicitation without fee structures, IP infringements, or ethical breaches shall be referred to the Consultancy Practice Standards Panel (CPSP) and the NIPR Council for adjudication and penalty enforcement.”

PRCAN said the code sets pitch rules, protects agency ideas, and gives clients a route to complain if a contract is broken, ethics slip or work is not delivered. The CPSP is drawn from the NIPR Council and PRCAN.

The statement was signed by PRCAN public relations officer Dr Monday Ashibogwu, fnipr.

PRCAN describes itself as the trade group of licensed public relations consultancies in Nigeria, operating under the 2026 re-enactment of NIPR Bye-Law No. 3.

Also read: Nigeria’s Current Account Surplus Rises to $7.54bn

The PRCAN Practice Code applies to work started on or after 11 September 2026. Penalties and panel decisions will show how tightly the new text is applied.