Against the backdrop of ongoing political and economic reforms, the federal government has appealed to Nigerians to help reshape the country’s reputation through truthful and consistent communication.
At the Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026 held in Abuja on Tuesday, the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged communication professionals and citizens alike to project the country with clarity and confidence.
Idris described the newly unveiled National Reputation Perception Index, developed by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), as a diagnostic tool rather than a judgement. The index provides insight into how Nigeria is perceived both domestically and internationally, offering a clear basis for reform and improvement.
He acknowledged that the index currently places Nigeria in a low-trust category but stressed that this does not fully reflect recent developments. The minister highlighted achievements under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, pointing to 27 consecutive years of democratic governance, broad political participation, and a relatively independent media environment.
Idris also noted ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening governance and the economy, including enhanced local government autonomy, security improvements, the removal of the fuel subsidy, and foreign exchange unification.
“Perception often lags behind reality, but real progress is being made, and it must be communicated clearly, consistently, and honestly”, he said,
He added that while some decisions were difficult, they were necessary, and now inflation is easing, economic growth is stabilising, and foreign reserves are improving.
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