The Federal Government has restated its resolve to confront what it describes as “false and malicious narratives” targeting Nigeria’s image, while seeking stronger international collaborations to project a more accurate perception of the country.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in London during the UK edition of the Renewed Hope Global Dialogue, themed “Strengthening Global Partnerships for Economic Renewal and National Rebranding under the Renewed Hope Administration.”
In a statement by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris emphasized that forging credible global alliances is central to Nigeria’s efforts to rebrand and reposition itself internationally.
“One of the reputational challenges we are currently confronting is a disinformation campaign falsely alleging state-sponsored religious attacks and discrimination in Nigeria,” he said.
“We have been very robust in our rebuttals, making it clear that these are despicable narratives being peddled by people who know nothing about Nigeria.”
The minister explained that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is taking the lead in Nigeria’s rebranding drive, in partnership with strategic stakeholders.
“A national brand does not emerge by accident; it has to be designed, crafted, and marketed in a deliberate and painstaking way,” Idris stated.
He revealed that the ministry, in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, had established the Nigeria Reputation Management Group— an initiative aimed at promoting national pride and enhancing the country’s image abroad.
According to him, the NRMG recently launched the Nigeria Global Reputation Management Project, which will be managed by branding experts.
He also announced that October 15 has been designated as Nigeria Reputation Day, an annual event to promote awareness about national reputation and image building.
Idris further disclosed that Nigeria will host two major international events in 2026 — the African Public Relations Association Conference and the World Public Relations Forum — both to be held in Abuja. This, he said, marks the first time any African country will host the two events in the same year.
Highlighting the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the minister pointed to the President’s foreign policy vision, the Tinubu Doctrine, which is anchored on the “4Ds” — Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
“At the beginning of this year, Nigeria was admitted as a BRICS partner country, opening a new chapter of cooperation with some of the world’s biggest and fastest-developing nations,” he said.
Idris also noted that a Nigerian was recently elected Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, while the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) emerged as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting.
He added that Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force Grey List was evidence of the administration’s progress in strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems.
“This achievement clearly shows the world that Nigeria is serious about financial transparency and enforcement,” Idris stated.
On domestic reforms, he cited the unification of the exchange rate, the rollout of the national student loan scheme benefiting over 500,000 students, the new national minimum wage, the consumer credit initiative, the presidential CNG programme, and the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development among others.
Idris maintained that these reforms were positioning Nigeria as a rising global economy and urged international partners to support the government’s efforts.
“We are a listening, engaging government, and we invite you to seek more information about the fantastic things happening in Nigeria,” he said.
“We welcome partners who can help us take the transformation to the next level.”
