Idris: FG strengthening global partnerships to counter malicious narratives about Nigeria

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, says the federal government is deepening global partnerships to combat false and malicious narratives designed to damage Nigeria’s image abroad.

The minister spoke in London during the United Kingdom (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 issued on Saturday by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris said international collaboration remains crucial to Nigeria’s efforts to rebrand and reposition itself globally.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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 said Nigeria needs credible allies who understand its realities and can help communicate a more accurate image.

“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,” he said.

Idris said his ministry is spearheading a national rebranding drive in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and other stakeholders to enhance Nigeria’s global standing.

He added that the ministry and the NIPR recently launched the Nigeria reputation management group (NRMG), aimed at promoting national pride and building a positive reputation internationally.

“A national brand does not emerge by accident; it has to be designed, crafted, and marketed in a deliberate and painstaking way,” he said.

“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.”

The minister announced that October 15 will now be observed annually as Nigeria Reputation Day to promote awareness of the importance of national image.

He also revealed that Nigeria will host the 2026 African Public Relations Association conference and the 2026 world public relations forum in Abuja, noting that it would be the first time both events will take place in Africa within the same year.

Highlighting key diplomatic gains, Idris referenced the “Tinubu doctrine”—Nigeria’s foreign policy vision built on the “4Ds” of 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,” he 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.”

Idris also noted that Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list reflects the success of ongoing reforms in strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks.

He credited the achievement to collaboration between government agencies and global partners, saying it “demonstrates very clearly to the world that Nigeria is serious about financial transparency and enforcement.”

The minister listed key domestic reforms, including the unified exchange rate, national student loan scheme, new minimum wage, consumer credit programme, CNG initiative, and new regional development commissions, describing them as steps fast-tracking Nigeria’s emergence as a leading economy.

“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.