Experts seek leeway for Nigerian goods at glocalisation, branding summit 

Brands and communications experts, who gathered at the first Glocalisation and Branding Summit in Abuja, have hinted on ways to showcase Nigerian goods and services to the global community.The experts, including the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on ICT, Lanre Osibona, Special Assistant New Media to the Minister of Communications, Oluwakemi Areola and others insisted that Nigerian goods and services would compete at the global stage if innovation and branding were prioritized.

While speaking at the event, which was hosted by a Nigerian London-based Public Relations firm, Vivacity PR, Shittu, said there was need for the nation to develop local contents to enable the country compete favourably globally.Describing glocalisation as an all-encompassing platform for the creation of virtual and physical hubs to enhance creativity and promote customised brands, the Minister said: “this cannot be achieved without emphasis on exporting services and focus on Foreign Direct Investments.”

Shittu emphasised the need for stakeholders to come up with viable recommendations on how to make the country an export hub for creativity and brands in Africa.

Also speaking at the event, Areola said the initiative would be extended across the country to spur small and medium scale enterprises, noting, “We are working with MSME clinic (an initiative championed by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo) and other necessary government agencies to educate on enabling environments and processes created for Nigerian SMEs to thrive home and away.”

She said the initiative is aimed at bringing together global and local brands to explore areas of synergy, discuss financial options, impact of technology and social media on branding and techniques that would make brands stand out and generate required revenue.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on ICT, Lanre Osibona, said there was need to encourage Nigerians, especially entrepreneurs to promote and patronise Nigerian goods and services. Osibona, who believes that ICT’s opportunities have not been properly harnessed in Nigeria, stated that the current efforts on the promotion of made-in-Nigerian goods could be fast-tracked through ICT.

“There is need to initiate a movement of young people that are determined to change the narratives,” he said. “We must change how the international community sees us. Trust and integrity are key if Nigeria must lead the glocalisation.’
Other experts, who were present at the occasion include SA to Vice President on MSME, Tola Johnson, CEO, ADSTRAT Consortium, Charles O’tudor, and Personal Brand Strategist, Chidi Okpala, Chief Executive Officer, True Nigerian Experience Limited, Samson Davies, Chief of staff to the Governor of Anambra State, Primus Odili, MD/CEO, Anambra Broadcasting Service, Uche Nworah, and Commissioner for Transport, Anambra State, Uchenna Okafor.