The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to forging stronger global alliances to challenge what it describes as false and malicious narratives aimed at tarnishing Nigeria’s image internationally.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the declaration 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 released by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Saturday, the minister said collaboration with international partners remains central to Nigeria’s efforts to rebrand and reposition itself on the global stage.
“Let me now highlight one of the reputational challenges we are currently confronting, which is a disinformation campaign falsely and maliciously alleging state-sponsored and targeted religious attacks and discrimination in Nigeria.
“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 noted.
The minister stressed the importance of working with credible allies to project the country’s true image, adding, “We need international friends and partners who know our country very well and understand our nuances and complexities, and who can add their voices to ours to present an accurate, believable and credible picture of the country.”
Idris noted that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is leading national rebranding efforts in collaboration with strategic partners to enhance Nigeria’s global image.
“A national brand does not emerge by accident; it has to be designed, crafted, and marketed in a deliberate and painstaking way,” he stated.
He revealed that the ministry, in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, has launched the Nigeria Reputation Management Group, “a partnership aimed at maximising positive national pride among Nigerians and promoting a positive global reputation in all spheres.”
“The NRMG has recently unveiled the Nigeria Global Reputation Management Project, managed by renowned branding experts and professionals, and you will hear much more about it in the coming weeks and months,” Idris added.
According to the statement, the minister also announced that October 15 has been officially designated as Nigeria Reputation Day, an annual event to raise awareness about the importance of national reputation.
In a further boost to the country’s international profile, Idris disclosed that Nigeria will host both the 2026 African Public Relations Association Conference and the 2026 World Public Relations Forum in Abuja—marking the first time an African nation will host both events in the same year.
Highlighting key diplomatic and economic milestones under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Idris pointed to the President’s foreign policy vision known as the Tinubu Doctrine anchored on the 4Ds: Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.
“At the beginning of this year, Nigeria was admitted as a BRICS partner country, opening up a new chapter of cooperation with some of the world’s biggest and fastest-developing nations,” the minister said.
“Just this week, a Nigerian was elected Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, while another Nigerian—my colleague, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas)—emerged as President of the 2026 GECF Ministerial Meeting.”
He further revealed that Nigeria had been delisted from the Financial Action Task Force Grey List, describing it as a testament to the success of President Tinubu’s reforms to strengthen the nation’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism framework.
Idris commended the collaboration between government agencies and international partners in achieving this milestone, noting that it “demonstrates very clearly to the world that Nigeria is serious about financial transparency and enforcement.”
On domestic progress, the Minister highlighted several initiatives under the Tinubu administration, including a unified exchange rate regime, a national student loans program benefiting over half a million students, a new national minimum wage, a consumer credit program, the presidential CNG initiative, four new Tax Acts, five Regional Development Commissions, and the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
He said these reforms were fast-tracking the country’s ambitions to be a leading global economy.
Idris expressed confidence that Nigeria is reclaiming lost ground both at home and abroad under President Tinubu’s leadership, emphasising that the government would continue to pursue partnerships to sustain and expand ongoing progress.
“We are a listening, engaging government, and we invite you to seek out more information about the fantastic things happening in Nigeria and to explore ways of partnering with us to take the transformation to the next level,” he said.