Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has emphasised the importance of strategic communication in deepening public trust and driving policy implementation across Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled states.
Declaring open the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Quarterly Meeting of Commissioners for Information on Thursday in Minna, Governor Bago, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, said effective communication was vital in translating governance into tangible results for the people.
“The theme of this meeting—Strategic Communication and Policy Alignment—is both timely and instructive. Governance today is not just about policies or infrastructure; it is about how effectively those actions are communicated to the people,” he stated.
The governor said APC states were undergoing a “silent revolution” in people-centred governance and called on Information Commissioners to serve as “stewards of our stories and architects of trust.”
Niger State Commissioner for Information, Hajiya Binta Mamman, in her opening remarks, said the meeting was an opportunity for state information managers to share experiences, counter misinformation, and harmonise state narratives with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“In Niger State, under Governor Umaru Bago, communication is being used intentionally as a tool for development, accountability, and mobilisation,” she said.
She added that beyond publicity, Commissioners were responsible for narrative building, managing public discourse, and aligning state messaging with national development and security objectives.
Also speaking, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, described the meeting as a strategic avenue to strengthen the APC’s national communication architecture and equip Commissioners with the tools to communicate reforms and achievements effectively.
Malagi reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, citing the removal of fuel subsidy, increased infrastructure investment, and the roll-out of major social programmes such as the Presidential Conditional Grant and Loan Scheme and the Student Loan Programme.
“Over 900,000 Nigerians have already benefited from the Conditional Grant and Loan Scheme, while more than 300,000 students are receiving support under the Student Loan Programme,” he noted.
He charged Commissioners to return to their states with renewed commitment to engaging citizens and mobilising support for ongoing national reforms.
“You are the voice and face of government. Your role is pivotal in ensuring that citizens understand and trust the direction of leadership,” he added.
The two-day meeting in Minna is expected to yield actionable frameworks for improved inter-state communication and better alignment of narratives across APC states.
PIAK