Advertising professionals must protect Nigeria’s image — Minister of Information

By Kunle Sanni –

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has charged marketing and advertising professionals to see themselves not only as storytellers for brands and businesses but also as custodians of Nigeria’s image and national perception.

He made the call on Thursday while declaring open the 5th National Advertising Conference held at the Abuja Continental Hotel. The event, organised by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), brought together leaders and stakeholders across the marketing, advertising, media, and communication industries.

Speaking on the theme, “Marketing Communication: Transforming Business and Creating Growth in Challenging Times,” Idris commended ARCON’s Director-General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, and other stakeholders for sustaining the annual gathering as a premier forum for thought leadership and industry growth.

He described communication as “a bridge between creativity and commerce, ideas and impact, perception and reality,” stressing that it has become one of the most powerful tools of persuasion and nation-building in modern times.

The minister also highlighted the growing threat of misinformation, particularly false narratives portraying Nigeria as a violator of religious freedom. He dismissed such claims as baseless, emphasizing that Nigerians of all faiths have suffered equally from insecurity caused by terrorists and violent extremists.

“Nigeria remains a diverse, peaceful, and resilient nation,” Idris said. “Our security agencies, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, are making significant gains in the fight against terrorism and banditry.”

He said the Chief of Army Staff had recently briefed the President with encouraging updates that reaffirm the government’s determination to secure every part of the country.

Idris urged marketing and communication experts to play active roles in shaping the country’s global image by promoting truthful and positive narratives about Nigeria, noting that their creativity can counter falsehood with stories of hope and progress.