Reputation Summit: Information Minister, Fashola, NIPR, Others Seek Deliberate Efforts to Build National Image
The maiden Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026 has successfully come to an end in Abuja with stakeholders outlining far-reaching insights on how citizens' actions can help in improving the country's reputation in global standing.
Organised by the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), a private sector initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the gathering highlights deliberate efforts aimed at improving the country's image within domestic stakeholders and international partners. It held under the theme, "Better Nigeria, Better Reputation".
Speaking at the event which held at Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre in the nation's capital, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris noted that collective action and support from professional bodies such as NIPR is key in raising the nation's reputation perception.
"Ultimately, reputation is earned through action, not slogans. It is built when policy meets purpose and when communication reflects truth. The government alone cannot build Nigeria’s reputation. It requires partnership with professionals, institutions, the private sector, and citizens", the Minister said.
While reiterating the federal government's commitment to continue to deploy effective diplomatic avenues to ease what he called wrong perceptions about the country, Idris assured the readiness of the country's leadership to foster collaboration with international partners to improve security and enhance the general welfare of citizens.
"Redeeming Nigeria’s image is a national call to duty, involving all of us, requiring a collective denouncing of false narratives, and promoting our unity", he noted.
In his keynote address, former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola urged Nigerians to use their public communications to positively project the country, noting that this is a key step towards improving the nation's image within and before the global community.
Fashola, a two-time governor of Lagos State emphasised that though reputation is largely intangible, it directly affects citizens’ daily lives, stressing that films and media contents emanating from within should reflect values such as resilience, creativity and hardwork as against amplifying easy and unexplained wealth.
He further called for a proper orientation programme for the nation's Ambassadors-designate to enable them better educate potential foreign investors about tax laws, regulations, incentives and other relevant information.
“Ambassadors should encourage investors to visit Nigeria and not the other way round. If there was a problem with development, it has to be here, not there. Those who want to do business with me must come and see where I live, feel my environment and know that my weather is warmer, instead of requiring public officials to spend scarce resources to visit where our Ambassadors are posted", he advised.
He called for the deployment of MICE - Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions to drive the nation's economy through hosting of sporting, music and other events that will attract global participants, an opportunity that gives them first hand information on who their host nations are and what they stand for.
In his remarks, President, Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku described reputation as a national power which has immense implications on the citizens.
While further underlining that reputation is a soft subtle influence that drives the political economy and social engagements of nations, organisations and individuals, Dr. Neliaku said it affects borrowing costs, speed of investment inflow, confidence of visitors and tourists, as well as the credibility of diplomacy and dignity of citizens across borders.
"Nigeria’s reputation is not what we say about ourselves. It is what the world believes about our systems. It is what they feel and think when we are not in the room. And it is what our citizens experience every day", he states.
In his national call to action to every Nigerian, Dr. Neliaku urged that the seven pillars; Culture, Leadership, Social Equity, Communication, Innovation, Performance and Credibility which shape how Nigeria is trusted and evaluated by the global community be given adequate attention.
The Chairman of Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG) Board, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya said the summit is aimed at focusing national attention on the importance of a conscious, deliberate, and coordinated approach to building and protecting reputation which he said is a key national asset and across government, business, institutions, and society.
"Reputation cannot be managed in silos. The government must work with the private sector. Institutions must work with the media. Professionals must work with regulators. We must replace reactive communication with strategic foresight. We must replace defensive posturing with earned credibility. And we must replace fragmented efforts with collaborative frameworks", he noted.
A highlight of the event was the inauguration of the first female president of the Nigeria Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, (NIMN), Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi and her Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) counterpart, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo as members of the Body of Advisers of NRMG. The Body has as Chairman Dr. John 'Reputation' Momoh, the founder of Channels Media Group.
