Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, has appealed to Nigerians both at home and abroad to stop demarketing the country, stressing that constant negative narratives about Nigeria’s image hinder national growth and scare away potential investors.
Speaking during a public engagement in Abuja, Umahi lamented the trend of Nigerians using social media and international platforms to portray the nation in an entirely negative light, noting that such actions do more harm than good to the country’s reputation.
“Stop demarketing your country,” Umahi said. “We may have challenges, but we should not be the ones amplifying them before the world. Every great nation has gone through difficult times, but its citizens stood by it.”
The former Ebonyi State Governor emphasized that patriotism and collective responsibility are crucial in rebuilding the nation’s image, particularly at a time when Nigeria seeks increased foreign investment and global partnerships.
He acknowledged that Nigeria faces legitimate governance, infrastructure, and security challenges but maintained that constructive criticism should not cross into national self-sabotage.
“Let us criticize where necessary but also celebrate our successes. Investors listen to what we say. When we constantly portray Nigeria as hopeless, we drive away the same opportunities we are seeking,” Umahi added.
His remarks have drawn mixed reactions online. While some Nigerians agreed that excessive negativity about the country can discourage progress, others argued that the government must earn positive narratives by improving governance, transparency, and public accountability.
Analysts, however, see Umahi’s message as part of a broader call by public officials for citizens to adopt a more balanced approach — one that highlights both the challenges and the achievements in telling Nigeria’s story to the world.
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