The Federal Government has underscored the growing importance of national reputation as a strategic asset in global affairs, diplomacy and economic competitiveness, as Nigeria presented its maiden Nigeria Reputation Perception Index Report 2025.
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, stated this at the official presentation of the report, an initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the National Assembly Library Complex, Abuja. The Minister was represented by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
Delivering the Minister’s goodwill message, Ebienfa described the report as a landmark, evidence-based national instrument that provided valuable insights into how Nigeria is perceived by both domestic and international audiences. He noted that national reputation now play a critical role in shaping foreign policy outcomes, diplomatic credibility, investor confidence and Nigeria’s overall standing in the global community.
According to the Minister, the Index offers a structured framework for identifying perception gaps, managing national narratives and aligning public policies with international expectations. He stressed the need for Nigeria to embed reputation analysis into policy formulation, diplomatic practice and strategic communication, rather than addressing image issues only in response to crises.
“The way a country is perceived has direct consequences for its ability to attract investment, build alliances and project influence. National reputation must therefore be managed deliberately and strategically,” the Minister said.
The high-level event was chaired by the Deputy Senate President and attracted senior government officials, members of the National Assembly, diplomats, public relations practitioners, academics and development partners.
Participants examined the economic, diplomatic and governance implications of national reputation, the methodological strength of the Perception Index, and the role of coordinated strategic communication in repositioning Nigeria as a credible, responsible and forward-looking global actor.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with the NIPR and other stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s external engagements are guided by reliable perception data, coherent messaging and strong institutional coordination, in support of national development and public diplomacy goals.
