Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on public relations professionals to play a pivotal role in driving national renewal by strategically promoting the country’s emerging economic narrative on the global stage. Speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Idris highlighted the importance of PR practitioners in amplifying the impact of the Tinubu administration’s policy reforms, which he described as the foundation for a far-reaching economic transformation.
The Minister noted that President Tinubu’s policy agenda has repositioned Nigeria for what he termed a “most consequential economic reform,” with measurable outcomes now visible across key sectors. “Permit me to posit, with every iota of conviction, that the Renewed Hope Agenda is steadfastly paving the way for Nigeria’s economic renaissance, and it is for us as public relations professionals to match the moment by strategically deploying our persuasive, values-driven and inclusive communication mechanisms in galvanizing our population, home and abroad, to participate in the reawakening of an economic giant,” he said.
Idris reiterated that the Renewed Hope Agenda, through decisive reforms and inclusive policy direction, is laying the groundwork for lasting economic revival. Citing significant figures, he pointed to over $50 billion in new foreign direct investment commitments, $21.9 billion in diaspora remittances, and ₦730 billion contributed by the Nollywood industry to the nation’s GDP. These figures, he emphasised, represent compelling narratives that need to be communicated with professionalism and patriotic clarity.
He acknowledged that while the initial implementation of reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification caused short-term hardship, they have since begun to yield positive results. “While the two policies unleashed shock waves on the system, resulting in teething hardships to the populace, it has adeptly entrenched a realistic exchange rate stability. In the case of the oil subsidy removal, more money is accruing to the state governments to accelerate their development, and has boosted our local refining capacity of crude oil,” he said.
As the administration approaches its second year in office, Idris outlined a range of infrastructural and economic milestones. These include an unprecedented N2.5 trillion investment in road infrastructure, the establishment of new ministries aimed at stimulating regional and agricultural growth, and the introduction of NELFUND, which has supported over 300,000 students with tuition and upkeep funding.
He also referenced strategic economic programmes such as the $450 million investment into Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure, the launch of CreditCorp to expand access to credit for essential needs, and the allocation of N200 billion to support small businesses and manufacturers.
Highlighting the scale of ongoing projects, the Minister described Nigeria as a “vast construction site,” referencing high-profile developments such as the Lagos-Calabar and Badagry-Sokoto superhighways, the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, the approval of N80 billion for the Alau Dam reconstruction in Borno, and progress on the Kano-Kaduna railway line.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to effective communication through the newly introduced National Strategic Communication Framework (NSCF), aimed at ensuring cohesive and purposeful national messaging.
Themed “Harnessing Public Relations for Nigeria’s Economic Renaissance,” the NPRW event was organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) with the support of various stakeholders