The Nigeria Forward Project (NFP) has urged political appointees of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from Northern Nigeria to take the administration’s policies and achievements beyond Abuja and communicate their impact directly to citizens at the grassroots.
The group said ministers, presidential aides and heads of federal government agencies should intensify public engagement as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, ensuring that government programmes are explained in ways ordinary people can understand and assess.
Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, Co-Convener of the Nigeria Forward Project, made the call in Abuja following a directive by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, asking federal appointees to communicate the administration’s achievements and policy outcomes more effectively.
Waiya argued that Northern appointees have an important role to play in connecting the Federal Government with communities across the region. He urged them to explain the Renewed Hope Agenda through practical examples, measurable outcomes and direct conversations with citizens rather than allowing the message to remain concentrated within government offices and political gatherings.
NFP Wants Government Communication Beyond Abuja
According to Waiya, communicating government policies requires more than issuing statements, attending official events or publishing information through conventional media channels.
He called on appointees to take the message to markets, farms, businesses, universities, local communities and households, where Nigerians experience the effects of public policies in their daily lives.
Such engagement, he maintained, would provide an opportunity to explain government programmes while helping citizens understand the administration’s priorities and ongoing reforms.
The approach also recognises that different communities have different concerns. Farmers may want to understand agricultural support programmes, while traders and small business owners may be more concerned about operating costs, access to finance, transportation and market conditions.
Similarly, students and young people may seek clearer information about employment opportunities, skills development and access to education.
Consequently, effective public communication requires officials to explain how specific policies relate to these concerns instead of relying on broad descriptions of government initiatives.
Akume’s Directive Places Focus on Results
Waiya’s appeal follows Akume’s earlier call for ministers, special advisers, chairmen and chief executives of federal government agencies to improve communication of the administration’s policies and achievements.
The directive formed part of discussions at the Federal Appointees Strategic Summit held in Abuja in September 2026, where government officials were encouraged to assess the impact of public programmes and communicate their outcomes more effectively.
The emphasis on communicating results raises an important responsibility for appointees: government claims should be supported by information that citizens can examine.
For example, officials discussing infrastructure projects can provide details about completed work, locations, implementation timelines and the communities expected to benefit. Those explaining economic programmes can outline eligibility requirements, participation figures and documented outcomes where such information is available.
This approach can help distinguish completed projects from ongoing initiatives and announced plans. It can also give citizens a clearer basis for assessing the performance of public institutions.
Moreover, transparent communication can help identify gaps between policy objectives and implementation, allowing officials to explain challenges and outline corrective measures.
Northern Appointees Urged to Explain the Renewed Hope Agenda
Waiya specifically called on appointees from Northern Nigeria to use their positions and local relationships to communicate the administration’s policies and reported achievements across their communities.
He said they should explain how government initiatives are intended to create opportunities, improve infrastructure, strengthen institutions and support economic development.
However, effective engagement should involve more than repeating the administration’s stated objectives. Officials need to explain what has been implemented, what remains underway and what citizens can realistically expect.
This distinction is particularly important when discussing economic reforms, which may produce different effects across households, businesses and regions.
For residents experiencing higher living costs or difficulties accessing essential services, broad claims about economic progress may not answer immediate concerns. Providing specific information about programmes, available support and measurable results can make government communication more useful.
In addition, listening to citizens can help officials understand how policies are being experienced at the community level and identify issues requiring attention.
Citizens’ Experiences Should Shape the Conversation
Waiya maintained that Nigerians would ultimately assess the administration based on what they have seen, experienced and understood.
His position places citizens’ experiences at the centre of the political conversation ahead of 2027. It also highlights the distinction between communicating a government’s message and demonstrating the practical effects of its policies.
For public engagement to be meaningful, citizens need opportunities to ask questions, raise concerns and obtain clear responses from the officials responsible for implementing government programmes.
Officials should also be prepared to acknowledge implementation challenges and provide accurate information about the limits of particular initiatives.
Such engagement can help reduce misunderstandings while giving public institutions a clearer picture of the concerns facing communities.
Furthermore, communication should remain accessible to people who may not regularly use digital platforms or follow national political developments. Community meetings, local-language explanations and direct engagement with professional and community associations can complement online and traditional media communication.
Continuity Debate Ahead of the 2027 Elections
The NFP’s appeal carries political significance as the country moves towards the next general elections.
Waiya urged appointees not merely to campaign for continuity but also to explain the reasons behind their position, defend the administration’s record with evidence and communicate its future plans.
For the APC and its supporters, presenting the administration’s record will be part of the wider effort to make their case to voters. Other political parties and candidates will have opportunities to challenge those claims and present alternative policy proposals.
Ultimately, voters will determine how they assess the administration’s record, the explanations offered by its representatives and the options presented by other candidates.
The quality of public communication therefore matters not only to the government but also to citizens seeking reliable information before making political decisions.
From Political Messaging to Public Accountability
The Nigeria Forward Project’s call highlights the importance of connecting national policy discussions with everyday experiences in communities.
Taking the Renewed Hope message to the grassroots, as Waiya advocates, will require appointees to provide clear explanations, present verifiable information and engage directly with the people affected by government decisions.
It will also require a willingness to answer questions about implementation, acknowledge challenges and distinguish documented outcomes from future commitments.
As the 2027 elections approach, the effectiveness of this approach will depend on whether communication becomes a genuine exchange between public officials and citizens rather than a one-way presentation of political messages.
For the NFP, the immediate task is for Northern appointees to move beyond Abuja and make the administration’s policies more accessible to Nigerians at the community level. The broader test will be whether citizens receive enough clear, credible information to assess the government’s record and make informed decisions about the country’s political future.
