By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has commended the Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative (UNRI) for its efforts in safeguarding and projecting a positive image of Nigeria across the globe.
In a statement signed by NiDCOM’s Director of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, the Commission disclosed that its Secretary, Dr Sule Yakubu Bassi, received the UNRI delegation in Abuja on behalf of the Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa. Bassi praised the group for their commitment to rewriting the negative narratives about Nigeria and showcasing the country’s strengths.
He highlighted NiDCOM’s mandate to engage, empower and harness the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora for national development, while acknowledging the challenges posed by misinformation and negative perceptions. According to him, these narratives often have political, socio-economic, and developmental consequences for the country.
Dr Bassi therefore urged the Initiative to strategically align its vision with NiDCOM’s diaspora engagement framework to maximise impact. He further reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to collaborate with credible partners and stakeholders in promoting a balanced and positive global narrative about Nigeria.
In his remarks, Brigadier General David Buba Shaljaba (Rtd), who led the UNRI delegation, explained that the Initiative seeks to highlight Nigeria’s cultural assets, innovative capacity and diplomatic strengths while inspiring young Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship and develop employable skills. He stressed that a collaboration with NiDCOM would help extend the reach of the programme and enhance its overall impact across the global diaspora network.
The Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative (UNRI), first conceived in 2007 and formally launched in 2025, is a non-governmental organisation established to project Nigeria’s positive image through storytelling, digital campaigns, cultural diplomacy, creativity and innovation.
