The Federal Government on Tuesday urged Nigerians to avoid portraying the country negatively, warning that such actions are discouraging potential investors and tourists. The Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, voiced these concerns in Abuja during the official launch of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group, an event organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Mohammed reminded Nigerians of the significant strides made by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that, as of May, the president had announced securing $30 billion in direct foreign investment commitments within just nine months of taking office. The president made this statement during the 2023 Leadership Annual Conference and Award in Abuja, highlighting the administration’s efforts to revitalize the economy.
Despite these successes, the minister stressed that the potential for attracting further foreign direct investments could be severely undermined if Nigerians continue to speak poorly of their country. He expressed concern that negative narratives, especially from citizens, were detrimental to the nation’s image and counterproductive to ongoing efforts to lure investors.
Mohammed remarked, “While we are working tirelessly to bring foreign direct investments into the country, we must also be mindful of how we speak about Nigeria. We are often too quick to share negative information that discourages investors and those who wish to associate with us.”
The minister also addressed the recent viral reports from Sunday suggesting that Nigeria was “snubbed” during the election of 18 member states to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term, dismissing these claims as harmful to the country’s global standing.
Earlier in the event, John Momoh, Founder and CEO of Channels Television, echoed similar concerns. He cautioned against tarnishing the nation’s reputation, warning that such behavior could further damage the country’s prospects at a critical time. Momoh acknowledged that while the government is making efforts to improve the nation’s economic standing, the reality is that many Nigerians are still grappling with economic hardship.
