Spokespersons’ communication vital to government trust – Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasised that effective communication by government spokespersons is crucial to improving public perception and acceptance of the government and its institutions.

Speaker Abbas made this known at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Nigeria Spokespersons Summit and the conferment of Honorary Fellowship by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), held in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said this belief guided the 10th House, under his leadership, to open up parliamentary activities to the public through robust citizens’ engagement. “Effective leadership communication is key to improving public perception of government institutions. In the House, we have taken deliberate steps to make our legislative processes more transparent. We now live-stream plenary sessions, publish committee reports in real-time, and provide sign language interpretation during debates,” the Speaker stated.

“For the first time in the history of the National Assembly, the 10th House is conducting annual self-assessments and publicly presenting its scorecard. These efforts underscore our commitment to making the legislature a vibrant and accessible institution dedicated to restoring public trust.”

Speaker Abbas commended the leadership of the NIPR and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation for hosting the summit and recognising the strides made in enhancing public communication.

He further described the summit’s theme, ‘Integrity and the Evolving Roles of Spokespersons in Leadership Communication’, as timely and of lasting relevance.

“Today, I wish to reflect on the challenges and opportunities involved in communicating leadership ideals in our democracy, our collective duty to uphold truth and trust, and the steps we can take to strengthen good governance,” he added.

The Speaker noted that after 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, Nigeria has reached a point where leadership and policy communication must match the maturity of its democratic experience.

“To me, democracy is not merely about government of the people, by the people, or for the people. Democracy, ultimately, is government by the people. This redefinition underscores the need for a participatory relationship between leaders and citizens — one built on truth, inclusion, and mutual respect.”

He warned against the damaging effects of misinformation in the digital age, stating that integrity in communication is more vital than ever. “Too often, public relations is mischaracterised as mere spin or propaganda. In truth, ethical communication is the bedrock of democracy. When spokespersons uphold integrity, they empower citizens to make informed decisions and hold leaders accountable. Deception, however, breeds mistrust and cynicism.”

Speaker Abbas reiterated the 10th House’s commitment to citizen engagement, citing initiatives aimed at demystifying the legislative process.

He referenced the State of the House engagement forum, launched in 2024, as a pioneering effort that allowed Nigerians to interact with House leadership in real-time — a break from the past model of distant communication.

He also mentioned youth town halls, held twice yearly, to give young Nigerians, who constitute over 60% of the population, a platform to engage with governance and policy-making processes.

“These engagements have produced tangible outcomes,” he noted, adding that the Legislative Open Week now welcomes civil society organisations, students, traditional leaders, market women, and other stakeholders to the National Assembly, encouraging greater transparency and accountability.

He recalled a symbolic moment when 16-year-old Isabel Anini was invited to preside over a plenary session as a gesture of inclusivity and confidence in the potential of Nigeria’s youth.

Proposing a stronger partnership between the NIPR and the National Assembly, the Speaker called for joint public orientation campaigns to explain policy-making processes and highlight the vital role of the legislature.

He added that targeted training for press officers and parliamentary committees, based on global best practices, would help translate complex legislative matters into accessible, relatable stories for the Nigerian public.

Tony Akowe