Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on public relations practitioners in Nigeria to clearly and effectively communicate government reforms in a way that builds public confidence and trust.
He made the appeal on Tuesday in Kaduna during the 3rd Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Week, themed “CROC City 2026,” hosted by Uba Sani.
Shettima said policies introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can only succeed if citizens understand their purpose and benefits.
“As a government, we regard public relations as a strategic function of governance. It is integral to building trust, managing uncertainty, and sustaining reform,” he said.
He stressed that governance must be accessible and policy communication must be translated into language that ordinary citizens can understand, noting that unclear messaging often leads to distrust and resistance.
“Policy cannot afford to be opaque. Leadership cannot afford to speak a language the people no longer understand,” Shettima added.
The Vice President highlighted the importance of aligning communication efforts with citizens’ daily realities, especially in relation to food security.
Speaking on the theme “Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plate,” he said public relations professionals must ensure government messaging reflects the experiences of farmers, traders, and households.
He outlined several food security interventions by the Tinubu administration, including the declaration of a state of emergency on food insecurity, deployment of 2,000 tractors, creation of a ₦100 billion agricultural fund, expansion of dry-season farming, targeted input subsidies, and strengthened agricultural partnerships.
“These efforts can only be vindicated when the farmer feels relief, when the market reflects the change, and when the household experiences the difference,” he said.
Shettima urged members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations to uphold professionalism, ethics, and evidence-based communication practices, assuring them of government support.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, in his remarks, described Shettima as a key supporter of President Tinubu and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to increasing investment in agriculture to enhance food security.
The President of the African Public Relations Association, Arik Karani, also urged Nigerians to tell their national stories more confidently, noting improvements in the country’s systems, including visa processing and airport procedures.
A keynote speaker, Brahim Chisunge, commended Nigeria’s agricultural progress but said policy implementation gaps must be addressed to achieve sustainable food security.
Meanwhile, NIPR President Ike Neliaku said Nigeria will host a global public relations summit in November, with representatives from about 160 countries expected to attend.
During the event, Shettima also commissioned the Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, describing it as a symbol of institutional strengthening and governance development.
He praised Governor Sani for combining infrastructure development with institutional reforms, saying Kaduna continues to set standards for other states.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also commended the project, describing it as aligned with national development priorities under the Tinubu administration.
