FG calls for collective action to strengthen Nigeria’s global reputation
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians, professionals, institutions, and the private sector to take shared responsibility for building and protecting the country’s reputation through honest communication and visible progress.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris,FNIPR, made this call on Tuesday at the Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026 held in Abuja.
Idris described the unveiling of Nigeria’s first National Reputation Perception Index by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) as a significant step in understanding how the country is perceived, both domestically and internationally. “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, the Nigerian Reputation Management Group, and its leadership for producing the index after several years of research, noting that reputation building is a long-term national effort that requires discipline and consistency.
The Minister acknowledged that while the report places Nigeria in a low-trust category, significant progress has been made in the last two years under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. “We are not where we used to be. While perception often lags behind reality, real progress is being made, and it must be communicated clearly, consistently, and honestly,” he said.
He highlighted Nigeria’s democratic stability, noting that the country has enjoyed 27 uninterrupted years of democracy, with open political participation and one of the freest media environments globally. “These are not small achievements. They speak directly to leadership, credibility, and trust, which are at the heart of national reputation,” the Minister stated.
On governance and the economy, he pointed to reforms aimed at strengthening local government autonomy, improving security through community-focused initiatives, and restoring fiscal discipline through the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system. “Difficult decisions were taken, but they were necessary decisions. Today, inflation is easing, growth is stabilising, and our foreign reserves are improving,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, and youth-focused innovation programmes, including student loans and venture funding for young entrepreneurs.
