The Federal Government has called on Nigerians, professionals, institutions and the private sector, to take collective responsibility for rebuilding and protecting the country’s global reputation through credible actions, honest communication and visible national progress.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call on Tuesday at the Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026 held in Abuja, describing reputation management as a shared national duty rather than the sole responsibility of government.
Speaking at the event, Idris said the unveiling of Nigeria’s first National Reputation Perception Index (NRPI) by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) marked a major milestone in understanding how the country is perceived at home and abroad.
“The report is not a verdict on Nigeria. It is a mirror. And as a responsible nation, we must have the courage to look into that mirror and act,” he said.
He commended the NIPR and the Nigerian Reputation Management Group (NRMG) for producing the index after years of research, noting that reputation-building is a long-term process that demands consistency, discipline and national alignment.
While acknowledging that the report places Nigeria in a low-trust category, Idris said the country has recorded measurable progress in the last two years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“We are not where we used to be. Perception often lags behind reality, but real progress is being made, and it must be communicated clearly, consistently and honestly,” he said.
The minister highlighted Nigeria’s democratic credentials, noting that the country has enjoyed 27 uninterrupted years of democratic governance, open political participation and one of the freest media environments in the world.
“These are not small achievements. They speak directly to leadership, credibility and trust, which are at the heart of national reputation,” he added.
On governance and economic reforms, Idris cited steps taken to strengthen local government autonomy, improve security through community-based initiatives and restore fiscal discipline through the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system.
“Difficult decisions were taken, but they were necessary. Inflation is easing, growth is stabilising and our foreign reserves are improving,” he said.
He also pointed to investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and youth-focused innovation programmes, including the student loan scheme and venture funding for young entrepreneurs.
Addressing negative narratives about Nigeria, including claims of religious intolerance, Idris said such portrayals do not reflect the country’s true character.
“Nigeria is not a nation of intolerance. We are actively correcting false narratives through diplomacy, stronger security measures and sustained engagement with our partners,” he said.
He stressed that reputation is earned through action, not slogans. “It is built when policy meets purpose and when communication reflects truth. This is a national task, and every Nigerian has a role to play,” he said.
Also speaking, former governor of Lagos State and former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, warned that Nigeria faces either a “reputation coup or a reputation disaster” depending on how leaders and citizens manage the country’s image.
Fashola underscored the need for deliberate reputation management, collective ownership of national identity and responsible public communication.
Quoting Section 24 of the 1999 Constitution, he reminded Nigerians that it is a civic duty to enhance “the power, the prestige and the good name of Nigeria.”
“There is no country without challenges. What defines a nation is not the challenges themselves, but how it responds to them,” he said.
He criticised excessive negativity in national discourse and urged Nigerians to leverage the country’s cultural, sporting and creative strengths to positively influence global opinion.
President of the NIPR, Dr Ike Neliaku, disclosed that Nigeria’s overall reputation score stands at 35.2 out of 100, placing the country in the “Poor” category on the NRPI 2025.
He explained that the index, jointly developed by NIPR and Reputation Perception Services, provides a scientific baseline for measuring Nigeria’s reputation and tracking progress over time.
“The NRPI is not designed to shame Nigeria. It is designed to help Nigeria,” Neliaku said.
According to him, the index is built on seven pillars: Culture (49.4), Leadership (37.6), Social Equity (37.3), Communication (33.7), Innovation (33.1), Performance (32.3) and Credibility (30.7).
He noted that culture emerged as Nigeria’s strongest asset due to its global influence in music, film, fashion and sports, but warned that culture alone cannot sustain national reputation without strong institutions and consistent performance.
“Culture can open the door, but it cannot keep the door open,” he said.
Neliaku also addressed reports of an alleged $9 million U.S. lobbying contract by the Federal Government, clarifying that while lobbying is a legitimate public relations function, questions around procurement, competence and value for money must be transparently addressed.
He further highlighted Nigeria’s successful bid to host the Global Alliance World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) in November 2026, describing it as a major opportunity to enhance the nation’s global standing, but warning that poor execution could damage the country’s reputation.
The summit brought together leaders from government, the private sector, civil society and the media to deliberate on strategies for rebuilding Nigeria’s global image and positioning the country from “potential to performance.”
