Minister of Information urges PR professionals to amplify Nigeria’s rising economic profile
UYO — Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is steadily laying the foundation for a national economic renaissance through bold policy reforms, strategic investments, and inclusive governance.
Speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Idris said the administration’s economic reset began on day one with the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates — measures he described as the “bedrock” of Nigeria’s economic transition.
“Permit me to posit, with every iota of conviction, that the Renewed Hope Agenda is steadfastly paving the way for Nigeria’s economic renaissance,” the Minister said, calling on public relations professionals to rise to the moment and deploy “persuasive, values-driven, and inclusive communication” to galvanize citizens both at home and abroad.
Idris acknowledged that while the initial impact of reforms triggered economic hardship, the policies have begun yielding measurable outcomes, including improved exchange rate stability, revived oil refining, higher state revenues, and a strengthened fiscal position.
With the administration nearing its second anniversary, the Minister pointed to an “unprecedented” wave of investments spanning infrastructure, agriculture, security, and human capital development.
Highlights include:
₦2.5 trillion earmarked for road infrastructure in 2025 — the highest in Nigeria’s history;
Launch of NELFUND, already supporting over 300,000 students with tuition and upkeep;
Direct investment of $450 million in the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative;
Creation of new ministries for regional development and livestock to unlock agricultural potential;
Establishment of CreditCorp, enabling access to credit for housing, healthcare, and essential needs;
A ₦200 billion fund to support nano businesses, SMEs, and manufacturers.
“Today, Nigeria is a vast construction site,” the Minister declared. “Projects like the Lagos-Calabar and Badagry-Sokoto superhighways are linking cities and regions, while critical infrastructures such as the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries are springing back to life.”
Idris also cited macroeconomic improvements, including the National Bureau of Statistics’ April 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showing a drop in inflation from 24.23% in March to 23.71% in April — a sign, he said, that the administration’s economic strategy is taking root.
On Nigeria’s global economic footprint, Idris revealed that the country has secured over $50 billion in new foreign direct investment commitments, $21.9 billion in diaspora remittances, and a ₦730 billion GDP contribution from the Nollywood film industry.
“These are not just statistics,” he said. “They are powerful narratives waiting to be told — effectively, professionally, and patriotically.”
The Minister urged PR practitioners to take center stage in shaping and promoting Nigeria’s progress through strategic storytelling, announcing the roll-out of the National Strategic Communication Framework (NSCF) to harmonize national messaging efforts.
He also congratulated Dr. Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), on his election as Regional Delegate-at-Large for the Global Alliance for PR and Communication Management.
“Under your leadership, the PR profession in Nigeria has gained significant global recognition,” Idris said.
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