The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for a communication renaissance to reshape global perceptions of Nigeria and counter false narratives portraying the country as a violator of religious freedom.
Idris made the call while declaring open the 5th National Advertising Conference held at the Abuja Continental Hotel on Thursday.
The conference, organized by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), brought together marketing, advertising, and communication professionals under the theme: “Marketing Communication: Transforming Business and Creating Growth in Challenging Times.”
In his address, the Minister commended ARCON and its Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, for sustaining the annual conference as a premier platform for thought leadership and collaboration across Nigeria’s marketing communication industry.
He said the advertising and communication sector must play a greater role in shaping narratives that reflect Nigeria’s reality as a peaceful and diverse nation, rather than allowing misinformation to define its image internationally.
“One of the gravest challenges we face is the deliberate spread of misinformation — particularly the false and damaging narrative of Nigeria as a violator of religious freedom,” Idris said. “This narrative is false. It is a distortion of our reality as a nation of diverse peoples and faiths who have lived together peacefully for generations.”
The Minister explained that ongoing security challenges in the country are not targeted at any religion or ethnic group, noting that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from terrorism and banditry.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains committed to restoring peace and strengthening national security, citing recent successes shared by the Chief of Army Staff after a briefing with the President.
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“Marketing communication professionals are not only storytellers for brands and businesses — they are also custodians of national perception and image,” he stated. “Through creativity, strategy, and digital storytelling, they can project Nigeria as a land of opportunity, innovation, and resilience.”
Idris further assured stakeholders of the government’s support in creating an enabling and well-regulated communication environment.
He said the Ministry is retooling its public information machinery to keep pace with the digital age, emphasizing the need for truth to “travel faster than falsehood.”
The Minister also highlighted the National Values Charter Framework being implemented by the Ministry, aimed at restoring truth, integrity, patriotism, and national pride — values he said must guide all communication and marketing practices.
“In these challenging times, communication remains our strongest instrument — for business, for governance, and for nation-building,” Idris said as he declared the conference open.
