Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, has urged Nigerians to actively project a positive image of the country by rejecting false narratives and clearly communicating areas of progress.
Idris made the call in Abuja on Tuesday while speaking at the Nigeria reputation summit 2026, where he addressed communication professionals and citizens on the need to present Nigeria with confidence and clarity.
He described the unveiling of Nigeria’s first national reputation perception index by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations as an important tool for assessing how the country is viewed at home and abroad.
“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,” Idris said.
While acknowledging that the index categorises Nigeria within a low-trust bracket, the minister said measurable progress has been recorded under the Bola Tinubu administration over the past two years.
He cited Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democracy, broad political participation, and a relatively free media space as indicators of democratic resilience and institutional credibility.
Idris also pointed to reforms in governance and the economy, including local government autonomy, improved security architecture, fuel subsidy removal, 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 added.
“Difficult decisions were taken, but they were necessary. Today, inflation is easing, growth is stabilising, and foreign reserves are improving.”