The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris has called for a communication renaissance, charging marketing communications experts to shape how the nation is perceived globally.
According to the minister, the communication renaissance should be one that emphasizes facts over fear, unity over division, and truth over propaganda.
Alhaji Idris, speaking at the fifth edition of the National Advertising Conference at the Continental hotel, Abuja on Wednesday, said this in reaction to the false narrative about the country being branded as a “violator of religious freedom.”
“Marketing communication professionals have an enormous responsibility. You are not only storytellers for brands and businesses — you are also custodians of national perception and image”.
He emphasised that, 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,” the minister said.
“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 affirmed.
The National advertising conference provides platforms for thought leadership and engagement opportunities. This year’s edition which is the fifth is with the theme: “Marketing Communications: Transforming Businesses and Creating Growth in Challenging Times”.
In his remark, the Director General of Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Lekan Fadolapo described the conference as a gathering where industry stakeholders come together as “strategists, creators, curators, innovators, and storytellers to exchange insights, challenge assumptions, and share solutions.
