Veteran actor and filmmaker Richard Mofe-Damijo has urged Nigerians to move beyond criticizing the country's problems and take greater responsibility for finding solutions. He made the call at the 2026 Pivot Nigeria Conference in Lagos, where discussions centered on Nigeria's reputation and its impact on citizens, businesses, and economic opportunities. The conference brought together stakeholders from various sectors to examine how Nigeria is perceived and the role of citizens and institutions in shaping that perception.
The conference, themed "The Reputation Dividend: Who Pays for Nigeria's Perception?", aimed to explore the relationship between national reputation and available opportunities for Nigerians, businesses, and institutions. Mofe-Damijo emphasized that acknowledging Nigeria's challenges should not end with criticism, but rather with a commitment to contributing to solving the problems. He stressed that citizens have a responsibility to propose solutions rather than just criticizing.
Mofe-Damijo also called for greater accountability from political leaders, arguing that citizens must demand responsibility from those entrusted with public office. He noted that elected leaders should understand that they are responsible to the people they represent. The actor challenged Nigerians to recognize their individual role in shaping the country's reputation, particularly when interacting with people from other countries.
According to Mofe-Damijo, Nigerians should see themselves as representatives of the country and conduct themselves in ways that contribute positively to its image. He cited the international growth of Nigerian creative industries, particularly Afrobeats, as evidence that Nigerians can build globally recognized successes from within the country. He also pointed to the achievements of Nigerian entrepreneurs such as Aliko Dangote.
The actor described Nigeria as a "work in progress" and called for patience while citizens, institutions, and government continue efforts to address the country's challenges. Conference convener Victoria Uwadoka noted that Nigeria's reputation should be regarded as a national asset, influencing trust, opportunities, and international perception. She emphasized that responsibility for Nigeria's reputation extends beyond government to citizens, the media, businesses, and other institutions.
Uwadoka urged Nigerians to present a balanced account of the country, acknowledging its problems while highlighting areas of progress and achievement. The conference focused on the role of storytelling, communication, and individual responsibility in shaping Nigeria's image. Participants examined ways to promote a positive national reputation and its impact on available opportunities.
Mofe-Damijo's call to action emphasizes the need for collective responsibility in addressing Nigeria's challenges. By working together, citizens, institutions, and government can contribute to a positive national reputation and create opportunities for growth and development. The 2026 Pivot Nigeria Conference provided a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions and explore solutions to Nigeria's challenges.
Key points
- Richard Mofe-Damijo urges Nigerians to take responsibility for finding solutions to the country's challenges.
- The 2026 Pivot Nigeria Conference explores the relationship between national reputation and available opportunities for Nigerians, businesses, and institutions.
- Stakeholders emphasize the need for collective responsibility in shaping Nigeria's image and promoting a positive national reputation.
