By Peter Adelowo
Former Lagos State Governor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has called on the Federal Government to adopt a firm and dignified stance in response to international visa restrictions on Nigerians.
Fashola made the call at the Inaugural Nigeria Reputation Summit organised by the Nigerian Reputation Management Group in Abuja.
He warned that Nigeria’s response to travel bans and visa denials carries serious reputational implications and should not be approached from a position of weakness.
His comments come amid fresh travel restrictions announced by the United States, which took effect from January 1, 2026, following a presidential proclamation on border and national security controls.
Fashola said Nigeria should leverage its economic influence and the spending power of its citizens rather than resorting to pleading with foreign governments.
He stressed that defending national pride does not mean tolerating misconduct by Nigerians abroad, but rather protecting the country’s dignity while addressing reputational challenges.
The former Minister also urged Nigerian ambassadors to go beyond ceremonial duties and possess deep knowledge of Nigeria’s economic policies, investment climate and regulatory environment in order to attract investors and strengthen diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, called for a collective national effort to rebuild Nigeria’s global image through transparency, accountability and visible progress.
He described the unveiling of Nigeria’s first National Reputation Perception Index as a critical step towards understanding and improving how the country is viewed internationally.
The summit concluded with calls for a coordinated national strategy to manage Nigeria’s
