Nigeria, we have a PR problem!
By: Novva Media
Tags: Nigeria, Public Relations, Reputation, Country, Africa

Nigeria, we have a PR problem!

“A country’s reputation is a valuable asset and a source of its competitive advantage” (Passow et al, 2005).

We are currently at the stage where patriotism isn’t a proud frontier anymore, the shadow of doubt is easily worn on the face of almost every Nigerian you come across today. While some of us remain steadfast in criticism online while still suffering, others are lining up at embassies processing their exit strategy. The country is in dire need for a change in perception, not the “campaign change” but a change in how Nigeria is positioned and viewed worldwide. The last couple of months we have been plagued with negative news within Nigeria and worldwide, some of these narratives could easily be defended but in our case, we are met with huge silence from the government we allegedly elected.

One would ask why we have ministries, diplomatic ties and an entire cabinet of “competent” people who are contented with allowing the image of Nigeria constantly smeared without any crisis management on ground to respond. In recent months, we have sat through the Invictus drama, Police Brutality/Reform, 88 Nigerians arrested for cybercrime, US Embassy vs Nigeria visa charges, CBN loan policies for SMEs, the current xenophobia crisis, third term propaganda and the Shiites situation.

I always wonder why we have to allow situations get to a decaying stage before we respond, especially in the case of the reciprocity fees from the US Embassy.

As a Public Relations professional, it is imperative to always get in front of every crisis/situation and make sure it is addressed properly especially when there is a need to reinforce a country’s stance on a particular situation.

Why do we keep setting up non-functional committees to solve problems that even a toddler in his sleep can decide on? What was the committee deliberating on for 18months that a quick action from the US immediately brought a swift solution under 24hours from our Ministry of Interior?

Sometimes It feels like our ministries aren’t aligned before they make public speeches, we constantly watch them contradict each other in the press.

We need to take charge of how we are seen, we can’t sit quietly and allow other countries determine how Nigeria should be seen and how Nigerians should be treated.

We have a problem of narratives, and social media spokesmen/influencers are not the ones to come to the defence of Nigeria daily. Its not about the political commentator or SAN trying to be the loudest or get TV views, it’s collectively about a country slowly going down the ruins, it’s gigantic coat of arms being stripped of its former dignity in the face of the world.

Our bad reputation is working so terribly against us, we are being denied visas, and business deals just for being Nigerians. There is a special scrutiny a Nigerian undergoes even to our African counterparts yet our government is bent on fighting opposition parties rather than face its duties to the country. Not to mention names but once upon a time we had a President who as unruly as he seemed sometimes will take serious measures when needed, what is our President doing?

It is time for the government to take the reins back and restore our dignity back.