FG Tasks Information Officers on Networking, Relationship Building

The Federal Government has charged information officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to strengthen networking, coordination and relationship-building as key tools for improving public trust and effective governance communication.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation gave the charge during an engagement with government information officers, stressing that their role goes beyond disseminating news to actively shaping public understanding of government policies and programmes.

According to the minister, effective communication is rooted in credibility, collaboration and consistency, noting that information officers must work closely with stakeholders, the media and the public to ensure accurate and timely information flow. He emphasized that strong professional networks would help counter misinformation and enhance citizens’ confidence in government actions.

The minister further urged officers to adopt modern communication strategies, leverage digital platforms responsibly and maintain constant inter-agency coordination to ensure unified messaging. Building positive relationships, he said, would also improve feedback mechanisms and allow government to better understand public concerns.

He reminded participants that information officers serve as the interface between government and the people, adding that transparency and professionalism are essential to earning public trust.

The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to capacity building for information managers, pledging continued training to equip them with skills needed to meet evolving communication challenges in the digital age.

The call comes amid renewed efforts by the government to enhance public engagement, promote policy clarity and strengthen national orientation through effective and people-centered communication.