Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, have commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) over its presentation of the Nigeria Reputation Perception Index Report 2025.
Jibrin gave the commendation in his remarks at the public presentation of the report in Abuja.
The event with the theme, “Evidence, Perception and Nigeria’s Global Standing,” was organised by NIPR in collaboration with Reputation Perception Services.
According to Jibrin, the report provides the country not only a mirror to reflect its strengths and weaknesses, but also a compass to guide policy reforms and national reorientation.
He described the report as both timely and commendable.
Jibrin added that Nigeria had taken the bold step to systematically assess how it was being perceived across key dimensions such as governance, economy, security, institutions, culture, innovation, and social trust.
“I want to commend the organisers, researchers, and partners behind this initiative for the foresight, professionalism, and intellectual rigour that have culminated in today’s presentation,” he said.
According to him, the nationally grounded Index marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward evidence-based governance, strategic national branding and institutional accountability.
“In today’s interconnected world, national reputation is no longer a matter of sentiment or propaganda; it is a strategic asset. How a nation is perceived by its citizens, investors, development partners, and the global community directly influences its economic opportunities, diplomatic leverage, social cohesion, and democratic legitimacy.
“Countries that understand, measure, and deliberately manage their reputation are better positioned to attract investment, tourism, innovation, and global partnerships,” Jibrin said.
Also speaking, Dr Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of the Council of NIPR, said the project took about seven years to complete.
He described the initiative as the best national reputation Perception Index.
“This represents the first of its kind in Nigeria and we in the NIPR are so happy. We are recognised by law and mandated to regulate the practice and profession of Public Relations and use it to intervene in policy direction and ensure that national interest and reputation of Nigeria is in good standing.
“So this exercise is designed to reposition reputation asset strategic national assets, one that should inform public policy, diplomatic engagement and investment attraction and genuine national rebranding.
“The event today goes beyond presenting a report, we are unveiling a national capability driven by reputation intelligence and the essence of economic transformation,” Neliaku said.
Idris, who was represented by the Director of Publicity and Public Relations in the ministry, Dr Suleiman Haruna, commended the NIPR for always bringing issues of reputation to the front burner.
Government, he said, could use the data to counter stereotypes, including those hindering patriotism.
“In a clear way that perception shapes reality, this report stands as a strategic asset to inform public policy and reforms, enhance robust engagements and improve inflows.
The minister also lauded different initiatives like the National Values Charter and the National Reputation Management Group.
“The government of President Bola Tinubu is conscious of the fact that reputation is a definition of governance. If you do well, your reputation grows, otherwise it drops. Tinubu has therefore initiated projects in infrastructure, security and social investments to meet this end,” Idris said.
He said the ministry would study the report and apply its recommendations.
The minister also urged stakeholders, governments, civil society organisations and the private sector to embrace the insights provided in the report.
Mr Henry Nwawuba, Executive Secretary of National Assembly Library Trust Fund, also lauded NIPR’s effort.
The keynote speaker, Amb. Joe Keshi, said the protection of Nigeria’s reputation is essential in achieving economic transformation, diplomatic influence and global respect.
The Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali Muhammad Ali, his counterpart at Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Ndace and other dignitaries from the public and private sectors graced the occasion.
The high point of the event was the unveiling of the report to the audience.
(NAN)
