Former Lagos State Governor and two-term minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, alongside Ministers for Youth Development, Technology & Innovation, and Creative Economy & Tourism—Ayodele Olawande, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, and Hannatu Musa Musawa—are set to headline the inaugural Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026 on Tuesday, January 20, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Organized by the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), the summit will convene leaders from government, business, and civil society to advance strategies for enhancing Nigeria’s national reputation. Fashola is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on the theme, “Better Nigeria, Better Reputation,” highlighting the importance of leadership, governance, and institutional consistency in shaping the country’s perception locally and globally.

A special session, “The Power of Youth, Technology & Creativity in Rebuilding Nigeria’s Reputation,” will focus on the role of young Nigerians, innovation, digital platforms, and the creative economy in projecting a positive and authentic national image. The three ministers are expected to participate as speakers during this session.

Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, NRMG Chairman, explained that the summit was created to foster a deliberate approach to managing Nigeria’s reputation. “A nation’s reputation is not built by chance. It is shaped by leadership, institutions, citizens, and the stories we tell through our actions. The Nigeria Reputation Summit provides a platform to align these forces and take responsibility for how Nigeria is seen and experienced,” he said.

As an annual convening, the summit aims to bring stakeholders together to develop actionable strategies, track progress, and promote collaboration across sectors to strengthen Nigeria’s reputation. The NRMG, a private-sector initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), seeks to coordinate efforts that positively influence national narratives, behaviours, and consciousness.