The Federal Government has urged information officers across ministries, departments and agencies to prioritise networking, coordination, relationship-building and clear communication in order to effectively convey government policies, particularly the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting for Resident Information Officers (RIOs).
Addressing the officers, Idris emphasised that successful government communication is rooted in credibility, clarity and trust, noting that honesty remains the most valuable asset for any information officer.
According to him, information officers play a strategic role similar to that of policymakers within their assigned domains and must, therefore, earn public confidence through transparent and responsible communication.
He stressed that without trust and strong professional relationships, information officers would struggle to perform effectively, urging them to consistently engage, collaborate and maintain healthy working relationships with relevant stakeholders.
The minister cautioned the officers against working at cross purposes with the government they serve, stating that their responsibility is to present policies and programmes in the most accurate and constructive manner.
He further advised them to work closely with political appointees such as media aides and special advisers to ensure alignment and coherence in government messaging.
Using a metaphor, Idris noted that communication is often a matter of perspective, adding that information officers must choose approaches that highlight solutions rather than shortcomings when conveying government actions.
The minister also shared his experience in managing sensitive information during a security incident in Sokoto in December 2025, explaining that he prioritised verification and consultation before releasing official information.
He stressed that delaying communication to ensure accuracy was preferable to rushing out unverified details that could mislead the public or damage credibility.
He urged the officers to be proactive in seeking information rather than waiting to be briefed, noting that effective communication requires initiative and continuous engagement.
In his remarks, a former Commissioner for Information in Adamawa State, Dr Ahmed Sajoh, highlighted the importance of regular training for information officers, describing them as a critical link between government and the public.
Sajoh advised the officers to maintain cordial relationships with their superiors, stressing that trust is built through humility, professionalism and strong personal character.
He reminded them that while political leadership may change, loyalty to the nation must remain constant, adding that countering misinformation, disinformation and fake news is a core responsibility of information officers.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Development SPECS Academy, Prof. Okey Okechukwu, underscored the value of experience sharing in strengthening communication practices.
He encouraged the officers to actively support their principals by documenting and publicising official activities, recommending that at least one report be published in national newspapers each month.
Also speaking, the Special Senior Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Mr Tunde Rahman, said information officers must have a clear understanding of the mandates of the agencies they represent.
Rahman explained that effective communication would be difficult without adequate knowledge of institutional operations, urging the officers to familiarise themselves with the key pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He encouraged them to seek clarification whenever necessary and to remain committed to ensuring the success of government programmes.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, as well as heads of major public broadcasting and media institutions.