The national conversation on Nigeria’s image and reputation took a significant turn at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as Pivot Nigeria expanded its advocacy for balanced storytelling to the nation’s campuses.
The initiative, tagged Pivot Nigeria: Reframing the Lens Campus Edition, brought together students, academics, media professionals and communication leaders at MAD House, UNILAG, to examine the role of young people in shaping perceptions about Nigeria at home and abroad.
Organised by HighStakes PR Professionals Limited, the event marked a new phase in the Pivot Nigeria movement, extending discussions on identity, culture, reputation and authentic storytelling directly to Nigerian universities.
Convener of Pivot Nigeria, Victoria nee Anyianuka Uwadoka, said the initiative was founded on the belief that national reputation is built not only through institutions, but also through the values, actions and stories shared daily by citizens.
According to her, while Nigeria faces undeniable challenges, the country’s narrative remains incomplete without recognising the achievements of millions of Nigerians making meaningful contributions in business, innovation, science, culture and community development.
She stressed that every act of integrity, creativity and excellence contributes to the nation’s image, adding that Pivot Nigeria seeks to ensure that Nigeria’s story is told fully, truthfully and with balance.
Delivering the goodwill message of the university, the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, UNILAG, Professor Sunday Oloruntola Abraham, commended the organisers for taking the national conversation to campuses.
Oloruntola noted that communication scholars understand the power of framing in shaping understanding, attitudes and responses, urging students to appreciate their influence in defining both personal and national reputations.
The programme featured conversations on how reputation affects investment, tourism, partnerships, economic opportunities and national confidence, with speakers encouraging participants to embrace ethical leadership and responsible communication.
A major highlight was a panel session featuring Ambassadors Isaac Moses and Nneka Isaac-Moses, Co-founders of Goge Africa Worldwide, who underscored the importance of culture, identity and personal conduct in strengthening national image.
Responding to questions on Nigeria’s potential, Nneka Isaac-Moses described Nigerians as the country’s greatest asset, citing their resilience, creativity and capacity for innovation, while Isaac Moses noted that personal reputation often opens doors before formal qualifications.
The panelists also identified Nigeria’s rich cultural assets, including cuisine, fashion, music, film and the creative industry, as powerful tools for cultural diplomacy and global engagement.
A defining outcome of the event was the launch of the Pivot Nigeria Campus Collective, a student driven network designed to promote balanced representation of Nigeria through storytelling projects, digital campaigns, community engagement and peer advocacy.
As part of the initiative, members of the Collective will participate in a 30 Day Challenge aimed at encouraging positive actions, responsible citizenship and the sharing of solution driven stories that reflect Nigeria’s progress and possibilities.
Student leaders, Aborede Feyisara and Adewunmi Oluwasemilore, were elected to coordinate the UNILAG chapter, ensuring sustained engagement beyond the inaugural edition.
As the first in a planned nationwide university series, the UNILAG edition reaffirmed that students are not merely future leaders, but present day storytellers, innovators and ambassadors with the power to influence how Nigeria is perceived across the world.
