The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has tasked communication experts to use their expertise to counter negative narratives about Nigeria.
“When false narratives about Nigeria are spread — especially internationally — it is your creativity, strategy, and storytelling that can counterbalance them with truth, context, and compelling narratives of hope and progress, ” he said.
The Minister who stated this Thursday in his remarks at the opening ceremony of National Advertising Conference 2025 in Abuja, added that communication can be used to correct how Nigeria is perceived globally.
According to him, “We need a communication renaissance — one that emphasizes facts over fear, unity over division, and truth over propaganda.
“We must project Nigeria as it truly is: a diverse, dynamic, and resilient nation of hardworking people who coexist peacefully, aspire collectively, and strive daily to build a better society.
“Through integrated campaigns, digital storytelling, strategic partnerships, and value-based branding, our marketers can reshape how Nigeria is perceived globally — as a land of opportunity, innovation, and creativity, not of conflict or crisis.”
He underscored communication as the strongest instrument and bridge for business, governance, and nation-building.
Idris also explained that the nation faces challenges that are beyond economic or security-related, which calls for the need of communication renaissance to project Nigeria as it truly is.
“Marketing communication is at the centre of transformation. It remains the bridge between creativity and commerce, between ideas and impact, and between perception and reality. As a tool of persuasion and nation-building, communication has never been more powerful or more needed than it is today. We must project Nigeria as it truly is: a diverse, dynamic, and resilient nation of hardworking people who coexist peacefully, aspire collectively, and strive daily to build a better society”, he said
On his part, the Director General, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, noted that the conference is an avenue to re-imagine and interrogate how communication drives not only brand value but also business resilience and sustainable growth.
“Over the next two days, we will hear from experienced speakers, engage in dynamic panel discussions, and explore case studies that demonstrate how creativity, data, and technology can work hand in hand to create meaningful impact.
” In these challenging times when every sector of the economy is exploring transformational strategies to keep up with sustainability and maintain a consistent growth, this conference is our industry’s convergence to learn, unlearn and relearn better ways of getting out the very best results in our various businesses,” he said.
