Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Nigeria Reputation Day Conference, where stakeholders will examine strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s global image through credible institutions, responsible citizenship and effective communication.
In a statement signed by Chief Yomi Badejo and Hajia Lami Tumaka, the conference, organised by the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), a private sector initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), is scheduled to hold online on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Peterside, a leadership architect and management turnaround expert, will speak on the theme, “Own the Narrative: Shaping Nigeria’s Reputation Together.”
His address is expected to examine how citizens, public and private institutions, and digital technology influence Nigeria’s national reputation, with particular attention to the role of individual conduct, institutional performance and online platforms in shaping perceptions of the country.
According to NRMG, Nigeria’s reputation cannot be determined solely by government communication or foreign media reports, as the everyday actions of its citizens, the effectiveness of its institutions and the narratives circulating on digital platforms also contribute to how the country is perceived internationally.
The discussion comes as Nigeria seeks to attract investment, strengthen international partnerships and reshape long-standing perceptions of the country. Against this backdrop, the conference will explore the relationship between national reputation, economic opportunities and the country’s standing in the international community.
The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Ambassador Ivie Sabina Idakpaye and Omawumi Ogbe, with Tope Ojeme serving as moderator.
Bringing together perspectives from academia, diplomacy and communications, the panel is expected to examine practical measures through which citizens, corporate organisations and government agencies can contribute to protecting and improving Nigeria’s reputation.
NRMG said the conference was designed to encourage reflection on the collective responsibility of Nigerians in shaping the country’s image, while providing a platform for stakeholders from professional associations, the media, the public sector, civil society and academic institutions to contribute to the discussion.
The group consequently called on stakeholders across sectors to participate in the conference, stressing the importance of collective action in building a national reputation capable of supporting Nigeria’s international relationships and economic aspirations.
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