Nigerian govt agencies and the need to build trust beyond announcements

By Israel Fagbemigun One of the most recurring problems confronting Nigeria since independence is not simply the failure of government policies, but the growing distance between government and the people it governs. Over the decades, Nigerians have witnessed military coups, prolonged military rule, democratic transitions, policy reversals, economic hardship, corruption scandals and governance failures. Each has chipped away public confidence until today, the trust deficit now runs so deep that even well-intentioned policies are received with suspicion.

This is why strategic communication must become a central component of governance in Nigeria, not an afterthought activated only when a policy is announced, a controversy erupts, or government needs to respond to criticism. Public communication must be deliberate, continuous, and built into the policy process from the beginning. The recent controversy surrounding Nigeria's tax reform is a useful example.

Before the situation eventually calmed, the debate generated considerable anxiety, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Prominent northern figures and political juggernaut, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, raised concerns about the potential consequences of the reform for a region already battling poverty, insecurity and economic disadvantage. The concerns grew intense enough to trigger opposition from 19 northern governors and 73 northern lawmakers, and at one point the House of Representatives suspended debate on the Tax Reform Bills, after their initial scheduling for consideration.

Beyond the political disagreement, however, another problem emerged: a communication vacuum. As the debate continued, rumours and misconceptions spread rapidly, especially on the new media. Claims that the reforms would impose unbearable tax burdens circulated widely, alongside fears that government would acquire powers to debit citizens' bank accounts at will.

Several of these claims were later debunked, but the most important lesson from the episode is this: misinformation thrives where credible information is absent, insufficient, or arrives too late. In my experience managing public perception for government, politicians and public institutions, one recurring weakness stands out. Many government agencies still approach c…