Unified government messaging key for restoring public trust — Information Minister
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for a unified, coordinated, and trust-driven approach to government communication as a critical requirement for delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister made the call during an interactive session with Directors of Information and Resident Information Officers (RIOs) on grade level 14-17, deployed across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), held under the theme “Aligning Public Information with the Renewed Hope Agenda: Rebuilding Trust Through Effective, Transparent Communication”, on Thursday, in Abuja.
Idris emphasised that public trust remains the most valuable asset of government communication, stressing that information officers must be guided by honesty, credibility, and consistency in their work. “Public trust is our most important capital. Once credibility is lost, no amount of messaging can fix it,” the Minister said.
He warned that fragmented messaging and parallel communication channels weaken government credibility and confuse citizens, insisting that the government must speak with a single, clear, and consistent voice. “We are one government serving one national interest, and our communication must reflect that unity,” he said.
The Minister urged Resident Information Officers to see themselves as active partners within their host MDAs rather than passive observers. He encouraged them to engage proactively with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, and agency leadership, noting that professionalism, relevance, and initiative are key to earning trust and influence.
Addressing the growing pressure of misinformation and the speed of digital media, Alhaji Idris stressed the importance of timely and accurate communication, noting that delays often create space for false narratives. While reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to freedom of expression, he said such freedom must be exercised responsibly.
The Minister also outlined steps being taken to strengthen professionalism within the information cadre, including mandatory periodic reporting, improved deployment processes, continuous training, and stronger institutional support. He disclosed that the Federal Government has begun restoring the National Institute of Public Information to boost capacity building for public communicators.
He concluded by calling for teamwork and mutual respect, reminding participants that they are central to the projection of government policies and achievements and that they must align their work with the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The event was attended by the SSA to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ogbodo Chinansa Nnam, Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Mohammed-Ali, represented by the Editor-in-Chief, Mr Mufutau Ojo, Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndace, Director General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Malam Salihu Dembos, alongside many other important guests.
