The Nigerian government has assured that it is currently building partnerships with the global community to counter a series of false narratives and misinformation being spread about Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said these false narratives are peddled by insdibuals aiming to damage the country’s image.
Idris made this assertion while speaking in London, United Kingdom, on Saturday at the UK Edition of the Renewed Hope Global Dialogue with the theme “Strengthening Global Partnerships for Economic Renewal and National Rebranding under the Renewed Hope Administration”.
According to him, strategic global collaboration is key to rebranding and repositioning the country in the international space.
“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,” Idris said.
He noted that the country needs international friends and partners who understand the nation’s complexities and are also committed to presenting accurate and credible narratives about Nigeria.
Speaking further, Idris said the Ministry is working towards developing a sustainable strategy capable of projecting Nigeria in a positive light to the world.
“A national brand does not emerge by accident; it has to be designed, crafted, and marketed in a deliberate and painstaking way,” he added.
Additionally, he said the ministry has launched a partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and established the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG) to maximise opportunities that will showcase Nigeria’s reputation.
Idris said that through the initiative, branding experts and managers will work towards highlighting such positive content about the country.