By Gabriel Ameh
The Federal Government has underscored the growing importance of national reputation as a strategic asset in the global assessment of countries, stressing its direct impact on foreign policy, diplomacy, investment, and international credibility.
This was contained in a statement signed Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja on
Friday, January 16, 2026
According to the statement, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, made this known at the presentation of the Maiden Nigeria Reputation Perception Index Report 2025, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) 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, Mr Ebienfa described the report as a landmark, evidence-based national tool for assessing how Nigeria is perceived by both domestic and international audiences. He noted that national reputation has become a critical factor influencing diplomatic effectiveness, investor confidence, and Nigeria’s positioning within the global system.
According to the Minister, the Index provides a structured framework for identifying perception gaps, managing national narratives, and aligning policy actions with international expectations. He emphasised that reputation management should be integrated into public policy formulation and diplomatic engagement, rather than approached as a reactive or ad hoc exercise.
The event, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, attracted senior government officials, diplomats, legislators, public relations practitioners, academics, and development partners.
Participants examined the economic, diplomatic, and governance implications of national reputation, the methodological rigour underpinning the Index, and the role of strategic communication in repositioning Nigeria as a credible, responsible, and forward-looking global actor.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the NIPR and other stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s external engagements are guided by accurate perception intelligence, coherent national messaging, and sustained institutional coordination, in support of national development and public diplomacy objectives.
