The Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), a private sector initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has named former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, as keynote speaker for the 2026 Nigeria Reputation Day Conference.
The conference, scheduled for Thursday, October 15, will focus on the role of citizens, institutions and technology in shaping Nigeria’s reputation at home and internationally.
Peterside, a leadership architect and management turnaround expert, will deliver a keynote address titled *“Own the Narrative: Shaping Nigeria’s Reputation Together.”*
According to the organisers, his presentation will examine how everyday conduct, institutional performance and digital platforms influence the way Nigeria is perceived globally, arguing that the country’s image extends beyond government communication and foreign media narratives.
The conference comes as Nigeria seeks to attract investment, strengthen international partnerships and address longstanding perceptions of the country abroad. The organisers noted that reputation and public perception can influence economic outcomes alongside government policies and institutional performance.
Three panellists, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, Ambassador Ivie Sabina Idakpaye and Omawumi Ogbe, will discuss the keynote presentation, with Tope Ojeme serving as moderator.
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The panel is expected to draw on perspectives from academia, diplomacy and communications to explore practical measures that citizens, corporate organisations and government institutions can adopt to strengthen Nigeria’s standing.
In a statement signed by Chief Yomi Badejo and Hajia Lami Tumaka, the NRMG said this year’s conference would be held online to enable wider participation by Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
The statement said the event was designed to “compel reflection on how each of our actions shape national reputation.”
Participants are expected from professional associations, the media, public institutions, civil society organisations and the student community.
The NRMG described Nigeria Reputation Day as an annual platform for stakeholders to assess the country’s image and promote shared responsibility for how the nation is perceived internationally.
It stressed that reputation should be treated as a national asset that requires coordinated action, credible institutions and responsible citizenship, rather than reactive efforts aimed merely at improving the country’s image.
The organisers called on stakeholders across sectors to participate in the conference, noting that Nigeria’s reputation has implications for its international relationships, investment prospects and standing in the global community.