The Federal Government has formally urged Nigerians from all sectors to work together to improve the nation’s global reputation, citing the need for shared responsibility in shaping international perceptions. The appeal was made on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, during the Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026 in Abuja, an event convened to address how the country is viewed both domestically and abroad.
The call to action was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, which emphasised that reputation is influenced by governance performance, security conditions, communication clarity, and consistency in national reforms. Officials pointed to the recent unveiling of the National Reputation Perception Index, an evidence-based measure developed by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations to assess public and external viewpoints of Nigeria’s image.
According to the government’s assessment, Nigeria currently ranks in a low-trust category internationally but has recorded measurable gains under ongoing economic and governance reforms. These include improvements in democratic stability, fiscal discipline through policy changes such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, and expanded investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and youth innovation programmes.
The summit brought together professionals, institutions, and private sector stakeholders to discuss strategies that include transparent communication and proactive narrative-building, with a goal of sustaining positive momentum. The government noted that bolstering the nation’s reputation is not solely a State responsibility but requires collective engagement from citizens and organisations alike.
This initiative responds to ongoing concerns about external narratives that focus on insecurity and economic challenges, and to long-term efforts to project Nigeria’s achievements and potential on the global stage. Participation at the summit also reiterated the need for unity in messaging and action to reshape how Nigeria is understood internationally.
