Made-in-Nigeria Push Gains Momentum as Agencies Unite for Global Visibility
A renewed drive to reposition Nigeria’s products and services on the global stage has taken shape through a strategic partnership between the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). The collaboration is designed to deepen the visibility of Made-in-Nigeria goods both within the country and in international markets, with a broader goal of stimulating economic growth and export expansion.
The development was made public in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a delegation from NIPR to the headquarters of NEPC, where both institutions outlined shared priorities around national branding, trade competitiveness, and global perception management.
Speaking during the engagement, NIPR President Dr. Ike Neliaku stressed that the partnership goes beyond institutional cooperation, describing it as a deliberate effort to align Nigeria’s reputation management with its economic ambitions.
He explained that both bodies occupy strategic positions in shaping how Nigeria is perceived globally, especially in relation to its economic capabilities and production strengths. According to him, Nigeria possesses the resources and human capital required to compete effectively in global markets.
As he put it, “the country has abundant resources and the capacity to compete internationally,” adding that “Nigerian products are capable of matching global standards.” The remarks underscored a central message of the collaboration: that Nigeria’s export identity must reflect quality, innovation, and consistency.
A key highlight of the discussions was the upcoming World Public Relations Forum, which NIPR is preparing to host. Dr. Neliaku urged NEPC to take advantage of the platform by establishing a dedicated Made-in-Nigeria exhibition pavilion. He noted that such a space would allow international participants to directly engage with Nigerian products, creativity, and industrial capabilities across multiple sectors.
He further suggested that improvements already recorded in Nigerian product packaging and presentation could be showcased at the forum. This, he said, would help demonstrate the country’s growing ability to meet international standards in branding, quality control, and consumer appeal.
Commending progress made so far, Neliaku praised the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, for ongoing reforms aimed at improving the finishing, packaging, and overall quality of locally produced goods.
In her response, Ayeni expressed NEPC’s readiness to deepen collaboration with NIPR, particularly in leveraging the global visibility offered by the World Public Relations Forum to expand market access for Nigerian products.
She emphasized that the partnership aligns with NEPC’s broader mandate of diversifying the economy beyond oil, while also strengthening Nigeria’s reputation through strategic communication and trade promotion.
According to her, the initiative would help “create opportunities for Made in Nigeria products to gain greater visibility in local and international markets,” while also reinforcing efforts to improve competitiveness among domestic producers.
Ayeni added that the collaboration is expected to spotlight Nigeria’s production capacity, enhance the competitiveness of local businesses, and contribute meaningfully to the expansion of non-oil exports, a key pillar in the country’s economic diversification agenda.