The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged All Progressives Congress (APC) Commissioners of Information across the states to strengthen collaboration and adopt effective communication strategies to promote public understanding of government policies and programmes.
Idris said effective communication was essential to leadership, governance and public engagement, particularly amid the changing media landscape and the growing influence of digital platforms.
The minister made the call on Thursday, November 5, 2026, while delivering his welcome and goodwill remarks at a meeting with APC Commissioners of Information from across the states at Bon Hotel Octagon, Jahi, Abuja.
He said the meeting provided an opportunity for information managers at the federal and state levels to strengthen cooperation, exchange experiences and develop a common understanding of their responsibilities in communicating government policies and priorities.
According to Idris, the rapid spread of information, changing public expectations and the transformation of the media landscape have made effective communication an indispensable instrument of governance.
He noted that the responsibility was particularly important for members of the APC, who must ensure that their communication reflects the party’s vision, values and policy direction while remaining factual, responsible and responsive to Nigerians’ concerns.
The minister said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda as a programme of reforms and national repositioning aimed at strengthening the economy, expanding opportunities, improving infrastructure and building a more prosperous country.
He stressed that the reforms required effective communication at all levels of government to enable citizens understand the reasons behind policy decisions, the challenges they were designed to address and the expected benefits.
Idris described Commissioners of Information as occupying a strategic position between government and the people, noting that their offices were responsible for translating government policies into understandable messages, providing credible information, correcting misconceptions and ensuring accurate communication of government activities.
He therefore urged the commissioners to build stronger communication networks across federal and state institutions through information sharing, experience exchange and improved media engagement strategies.
The minister also called for increased utilisation of traditional and digital communication platforms to ensure that government policies and development initiatives reached citizens effectively.
Addressing the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation, Idris cautioned against sacrificing credibility for political communication, insisting that public trust remained the most important asset of government information managers.
He said accuracy, transparency, consistency and responsible engagement were essential to sustaining public confidence in government communication.
The minister further emphasised the need for government communicators to listen to citizens and pay attention to public concerns, noting that effective communication should not be limited to disseminating information but must also incorporate feedback from the people.
“Effective communication is a two-way process. We must pay attention to citizens’ concerns, understand public sentiment and ensure that feedback informs how government engages with the people,” he said.
Idris urged the commissioners to ensure that the meeting produced practical outcomes beyond the exchange of goodwill messages, including stronger coordination of communication activities, sharing of verified information and improved efforts to publicise development initiatives.
He said the gathering should mark the beginning or strengthening of a sustained partnership among information managers across the APC and the different levels of government.
The minister also called on the commissioners to promote unity, mutual respect and a common sense of purpose, stressing that differences in state experiences should strengthen rather than undermine their collective capacity.
He expressed confidence that the relationships established and strengthened through the meeting would contribute to a more coherent, effective and responsive information network across the country.
Idris commended the commissioners for their contributions to government communication in their respective states and expressed optimism that the discussions would produce meaningful exchanges and practical strategies for improving information management.
He urged participants to leave the meeting with a renewed commitment to collaboration, responsible communication and the collective pursuit of national development.
