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• Investor cancels visit over security advisory; Peterside seeks measurable progress
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Fears of violence ahead of the 2027 general elections could undermine Nigeria’s efforts to attract foreign investment, Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, has warned, disclosing that a prospective international investor cancelled a planned visit following a travel advisory.
Chairman of the NRMG Advisory Body, John Momoh, also called for practical action against insecurity, corruption and declining public trust, stressing that Nigeria must earn its reputation through the experiences it delivers to citizens, investors and visitors.
They spoke yesterday at Nigeria Reputation Day 2026, organised by the NRMG under the theme, “Own the Narrative: Shaping Nigeria’s Reputation Together,” where former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, urged measurable improvements in governance and institutional performance.
Badejo-Okusanya said the investor’s decision illustrated the economic consequences of election-related security concerns, warning politicians against allowing the pursuit of power to undermine public safety and the country’s international standing.
“We must have these elections in a peaceful atmosphere. If you don’t win today, you can win tomorrow. It is not winning at all costs that we must all do.”
He stressed that efforts to improve Nigeria’s reputation must address the conduct and practices undermining it, as promoting a favourable image abroad would achieve little if developments at home continued to discourage investors and visitors.
The NRMG chairman identified the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum, expected to attract delegates from about 126 countries, as an opportunity to showcase Nigeria and strengthen international engagement.
He urged stakeholders to support the gathering and use it to advance the country’s reputation and democratic development.
Momoh said Nigeria’s reputation was shaped less by official statements than by the experiences of citizens, investors, travellers and others dealing with its institutions.
“Let’s stop trying to announce our reputation. Let’s start earning it. Together.”
He urged the country to confront its problems honestly while ensuring that its achievements, talents and contributions received adequate recognition.
Insecurity, corruption, economic hardship and declining trust between citizens and institutions, he said, required practical responses, while efforts to shape Nigeria’s narrative must present an honest account of its difficulties and progress.
Momoh stressed that credibility depended on clarity, consistency and competence in policy implementation and public service delivery, warning against attempts to substitute publicity for performance. “Nigerians are too smart for that. We see through spin.”
He also challenged businesses to recognise their responsibility for the country’s image, noting that product quality, treatment of employees and fulfilment of promises influenced perceptions of Nigeria.
For journalists and other media professionals, Momoh said verification had become more urgent as artificial intelligence made it easier to fabricate voices, manipulate videos and spread misinformation.
“Let us be first with the truth, not first with the rumour,” he said.
While affirming the importance of criticism, he urged Nigerians at home and abroad to avoid needlessly damaging the country’s reputation.
Delivering the keynote address, Peterside described national reputation as a strategic asset influencing investment, trade, tourism and the treatment of Nigerians abroad.
He warned that publicity could not compensate for institutional failures, calling for measurable improvements in governance, security and public service delivery.
“Promotion can get you noticed, but proof earns you credibility,” he said.
Peterside urged Nigeria to move beyond explaining its difficulties to demonstrating how it was resolving them, with evidence that citizens and the international community could verify.
He cited efforts to tackle piracy through the Deep Blue Project as an example of how operational capacity and demonstrable results could help change international perceptions of the country.
Sustained action, he said, was more effective in rebuilding confidence than campaigns seeking recognition without sufficient evidence of progress.
“Ultimately, a nation’s reputation is not built by words alone. It is built by the consistency between what we profess and what we practise, between the image we project and the experience we deliver,” he said.
Peterside urged government institutions, businesses, the media and citizens to take responsibility for Nigeria’s reputation, stressing that public officials and institutional leaders carried a greater obligation because their decisions directly affected people’s lives.
He warned against turning reputation management into propaganda, saying the country must acknowledge insecurity, environmental damage, governance gaps and social tensions while providing credible evidence of efforts to address them.
To strengthen accountability, he proposed a national evidence repository and a reputation dashboard through which the NRMG could document verifiable achievements, identify persistent challenges and track progress.
Peterside also called for stronger crisis communication standards requiring public institutions to respond promptly to controversies, distinguish verified information from speculation and provide regular updates as facts emerged.
