FG tasks advertising professionals on rebranding Nigeria’s image
The Federal Government has urged advertising and communication professionals to take the lead in reshaping Nigeria’s image locally and internationally. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call yesterday at the 5th National Advertising Conference held at the Abuja Continental Hotel. Idris said the marketing communication industry had a crucial responsibility […]
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi
The Federal Government has urged advertising and communication professionals to take the lead in reshaping Nigeria’s image locally and internationally.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call yesterday at the 5th National Advertising Conference held at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
Idris said the marketing communication industry had a crucial responsibility to highlight the country’s strengths, counter misinformation and promote a narrative of unity, resilience and opportunity.
He said advertising was no longer just a platform for promoting brands but a strategic tool for strengthening public perception and national identity.
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“One of the gravest challenges our nation faces today is the deliberate spread of misinformation, particularly the false and damaging narrative of Nigeria as a ‘violator of religious freedom’,” he said.
He maintained that Nigeria remained a nation where people of different faiths coexisted peacefully, adding that security challenges affected all citizens equally.
“Yes, Nigeria has faced security challenges, especially from terrorists and violent extremists, but these are not targeted at any religion or ethnic group. All Nigerians—Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths—have suffered from the menace of terrorism and banditry,” he said.
The minister also reiterated the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to restoring national security. He referenced recent briefings by the Chief of Army Staff as evidence of progress.
“Only yesterday, the Chief of Army Staff briefed the media after meeting with the President, providing encouraging updates on the significant gains recorded in just the past few days,” Idris added.
He called on communicators to deploy storytelling, digital campaigns and strategic messaging to project Nigeria’s resilience, economic prospects and unity.
“You are not only storytellers for brands and businesses; you are also custodians of national perception and image. We need a communication renaissance, one that emphasises facts over fear, unity over division, and truth over propaganda,” he said.
Idris assured stakeholders of the ministry’s continued collaboration with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and other partners to ensure Nigeria’s story was accurately told.
“We are retooling our public information machinery to align with the realities of the digital age, where truth must travel faster than falsehood, and where the Nigerian story must be told by Nigerians themselves,” he said.
Earlier, ARCON Director General, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of marketing communication in driving growth and navigating economic challenges.
“In today’s world, market algorithms are shifting faster than ever, consumer behaviour is becoming challenging to track, and digital disruption is redefining the rules of engagement,” he said.
He described the conference as a platform for strategists, creators and innovators to explore solutions and develop strategies aimed at improving the country’s communication ecosystem.
“Even in challenging times, great communication remains one of the most powerful tools for growth,” Fadolapo added.