Rather than focus on participatory dialogue, the emphasis is placed on visibility—media coverage, social media posts, glossy reports—while the people at the center of these interventions are sidelined. Because of our disregard for development communication that enables inclusive dialogue, the very people we aim to serve often become suspicious, and projects are abandoned. Let me […]
One of the greatest challenges facing many NGOs today is that they rarely hire professionals trained in development communication. The focus is often placed on publicity and public relations, rather than on the deeper, more transformative role of communication in development. As a result, communication is reduced to managing social media accounts, issuing press releases,
NGOs Are Getting Communication Wrong — Here’s Why It Matters Read More »
In today’s development space, we see a dangerous trend: the confusion of public relations (PR) with advocacy. Organizations roll out campaigns, share photos, and issue press statements — all without ever listening to the people they claim to serve. Let’s be clear: PR is not advocacy. While PR seeks visibility, advocacy demands accountability. PR writes
PR Is Not Advocacy: Don’t Speak for the Community — Let Their Voice Lead Read More »
Yesterday, a partner working on a climate change project targeting rural women farmers reached out to me for advice on communication. Before I could offer any thoughts, she explained that their only “communication strategy” was PR — essentially, liaising with newspapers to publish reports about their meetings and activities. In fact, her main reason for
She Thought PR Was Communication. Here’s What I Told Her Read More »
In my 16 years of experience in communication, I’ve observed how many NGOs treat communication as an afterthought — or worse, as a job for just anyone. Most still define communication narrowly: publishing activities on social media, pushing photos to newspapers, and name-dropping donors. Consequently, they routinely hire journalists as communication officers — without embedding
Communication Is Not a Job for Quacks Read More »
We—those of us who craft messages, shape narratives, manage public perception, and steer development communication—must humbly admit this: We owe the people an apology. We helped power look polished when it should have been questioned. We packaged failure in fine language. We replaced truth with talking points. We celebrated awareness while avoiding accountability. We called
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
Why Nigeria Needs Effective Communication Governance — Not Just PR Read More »
When we think of Behavioural Change Communication (BCC), our minds often go to posters, radio jingles, theatre-for-development, or social media campaigns. Yet, two of the most powerful BCC platforms have been shaping lives for centuries — the church and the mosque. Every week, millions gather in these spaces not only to worship, but to listen.
Church and Mosque Sermons Are Powerful Behavioural Change Communication Read More »
In the development work that we do, we often have a huge obsession with data. I have read many reports presenting data in beautiful tables and graphs, carefully designed with colours. But too often, these outputs remain unread, misunderstood, or ignored by the very people they are meant to serve. The problem is not the
Data Alone Does Not Drive Change: Why Development Communication Must Tell Stories Read More »
Democracy Communication is the practice of using participatory, citizen-centered communication to ensure that both leaders and citizens understand that democracy is not just about elections, but about development, accountability, and inclusive decision-making. Nigeria must engage politicians, policymakers, and key NGOs in this approach, while equipping them with a practical understanding of governance anchored on economic
Why Nigeria Needs Democracy Communication Read More »