Nigeria Turns Reputation Into National Capital With Maiden Reputation Index Launch
At a time when perception can make or mar economies faster than oil or minerals, Nigeria has formally stepped into the business of measuring and managing its image.
The nation on Thursday placed its reputation on the policy table with the public presentation of the First Nigeria Reputation Perception Index (NRPI) 2025, held at the National Assembly Library Complex, Abuja.
The landmark report, developed by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), positions national reputation as a strategic asset as critical as revenue, security, or infrastructure.
Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, who chaired the event, described national reputation as “a strategic asset, not sentiment or propaganda,” stressing that how Nigeria is perceived shapes investment, diplomacy, tourism, and democratic legitimacy.
He noted that the Index offers both a mirror and a compass, revealing gaps while guiding reforms.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, in a goodwill message delivered by the ministry’s spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, endorsed the report as an evidence-based tool for foreign policy, investment confidence, and coordinated national communication.
Lead researcher Dr Celestine Achi unveiled the framework behind the Index, explaining that reputation was measured across seven pillars: Leadership, Performance, Credibility, Innovation, Communication, Social Equity, and Culture.
He emphasised that leadership carried the highest weight because it signals stability and direction.
NIPR President Dr Ike Neliaku, called the project a seven-year journey, insisting that reputation is “an economic instrument.”
Citing global examples such as Japan and the UAE, he argued that a strong reputation attracts investment, lowers borrowing costs, and builds trust, which he called “the infrastructure of prosperity.”
Stakeholders at the event agreed that the NRPI should become an annual national barometer, tracked like inflation or GDP, with public institutions aligning performance with perception.
The message was clear: if Nigeria delivers better governance, credibility, and communication, its reputation and its economy will follow.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n
