Since fuel subsidies were removed, state governments have received significantly higher allocations from the Federal Government. In theory, this extra revenue should deliver better infrastructure, improved services, and visible development. In reality, many citizens see little to no change.
The problem is not only poor delivery — it’s the lack of clear, accountable, and participatory communication between government and citizens.
The Missing Link: Communication Governance
Too often, government communication is reduced to PR — crafted to defend the government, manage perception, or silence criticism. While PR has its place in brand management, governance demands something deeper: communication governance.
Communication governance means establishing transparent, inclusive channels where citizens are:
Fully informed about resources received and how they’re used.
Invited into conversations as problem-solving partners.
Given tools to hold leaders accountable.
If Nigerians could track exactly how much their states received from subsidy savings — and how it was spent — they’d be empowered to demand results.
Why Citizens Must Be at the Centre
When accurate and timely information is withheld:
Rumours replace facts.
Distrust deepens.
Development becomes a one-way monologue.
An effective system would not just inform, but engage citizens so they see themselves as part of the solution.
From Spin to Sincerity
Government spokespersons must abandon outdated tactics such as:
Denying obvious problems.
Using propaganda or selective truths.
Attacking critics personally.
In today’s information-rich world, these only breed cynicism. What’s needed is open, accountable communication that treats citizens as intelligent partners in governance.
The Way Forward
If the Federal Government wants to restore trust, it must:
1. Institutionalise participatory communication — Platforms for dialogue and joint problem-solving.
2. Be transparent with fiscal flows — Publish subsidy savings and state allocations in citizen-friendly formats.
3. Adopt fact-based communication — Speak honestly about progress, challenges, and setbacks.
4. Empower communities — Equip citizens with knowledge to track and demand accountability.
Nigeria doesn’t need more PR gloss. It needs communication governance — where openness is the norm, accountability is expected, and citizens co-create the nation’s progress.
Trust will not come from spin, but from truth, dialogue, and shared responsibility.
— Audu Liberty Oseni
Director, Centre for Development Communication