The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has said global perception of Nigeria is poor and the impact is heavily felt in the nation’s economy, forcing the institute to inaugurate the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG) to address some critical reputational challenges that have negatively affected Nigeria as a country.
Nigeria ranked 150 out of 180 least corrupt nations, according to the 2022 Corruption Perception Index reported by Transparency International. According to the report, corruption in Nigeria averaged 125.67 from 1996 to 2022, hitting a record 154 in 2021. The nation’s widespread insecurity and low rank in ease of doing business combine to affect the image of the country on the global stage.
NIPR said the establishment of NRMG is a deliberate, most effective strategic public relations engagement and institutional intervention to comprehensively address the deficit of Nigeria’s reputation, on a sustainable basis.
Chairman of the group and Comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi said a renewed commitment and deliberate effort to strengthen the country’s reputation will yield the right results.
Adeniyi called on the governments at all levels, organisations, individuals and other stakeholders in Nigeria to give reputation matters priority attention, adding that every reputational error from individuals, organisations or government distorts development, affects our global outlook and rating, thus retards progress.
President of the council Dr Ike Neliaku said the committee is strategic to the next level of Nigeria. “As it stands, our reputation needs to be revamped and reinvented. If you don’t tell your story nobody will tell it for you,” he stated, adding that everybody should take the issue of reputation seriously. “The reputation of a country affects the nation’s economy,” he said while inaugurating the committee in Abuja yesterday. “In telling our story, it has to be packed, it has to be well harnessed.”
Director-general of the Voice of Nigeria DG Voice of Nigeria, Jibril Ndace said Nigerians have to tell the Nigerian story with force, unapologetic and truth. “We have the opportunity to tell the Nigerian story and tell it better.”
He urged the younger professionals in the industry to remain loyal and committed to their mentors. “We are not going to be apologetic, instead we are going to be forceful and consistent in telling the Nigerian and African story,” he stated.
The terms of reference for the committee include: to develop the context, create content and provide the strategy for the sustainable establishment of Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG) by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations; consider and recommend appropriate operational modalities including timelines for the take-off of NRMG in Nigeria; and identify and recommend relevant partners and stakeholders to the NRMG project and advise on strategies for engaging them.
