By Bassey Udo
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to improve its communication and engagement with the media to enhance public understanding of its economic policies and agenda.
The Minister made this commitment on Thursday during a meeting with members of the Executive of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Abuja.
The Minister, who noted that there was a significant amount of misunderstanding of government policy among members of the public, particularly regarding economic matters, said the government was determined to reverse the trend by working closely with the media, particularly financial journalists, to help educate the public.
He explained that the Ministry of Finance would take the initiative in projecting information about its activities, rather than allowing the narrative to be shaped by the State House or other groups, saying this was part of the reasons he accepted to meet and interact with the FICAN.
“There’s a lot of things we’re doing, and there’s a lot more we will do. We wanted to be the ones who would project it, rather than getting it from the State House or other groups,” he said.
“This meeting was aimed at improving efficiency and agreeing on how the government will communicate and engage with the media to enable us to work together more effectively,” he added.
The Minister emphasized that public service required transparency and accountability, stressing that the government has a duty to explain to the public what it is doing, particularly its policies and decisions, even on matters where there may be disagreement.
He said this should be done in a responsible and transparent manner, with the media playing a central role in the process.
He revealed plans by the government to embark on public education initiatives, noting that its impact in reaching Nigerians would be limited without the support of the media.
Journalists, particularly members of FICAN, he said, would be key partners with his Ministry in helping to educate citizens about government economic policies.
Speaking on the level of public misunderstanding of government economic policy, the Minister said an informed citizenry was better positioned to better hold the government accountable.
He argued that vague criticisms on social media, such as accusations of corruption without specifics, did little to drive accountability, whereas factual, evidence-based feedback was more likely to prompt the government to positive action.
He cited a common misconception among Nigerians regarding the country’s foreign reserves, explaining that funds held in reserves could not simply be spent domestically to address economic hardship.
He said such misunderstanding led citizens to direct misplaced anger at the government over issues that could not be resolved in the manner being suggested, resulting in wasted energy without addressing the underlying problem.
The Minister clarified that the government was not asking the media to portray its policies in an entirely positive light, noting that doing so would be counterproductive.
Rather, he urged journalists to be constructive and balanced in their reportage, while basing their assessments on facts and verifiable impact.
He also hinted at further engagements with the media in the coming weeks and months as part of the government’s renewed communication strategy, and challenged journalists to reflect on how information consumption shapes public perception of governance.
Responding on behalf of the Association, the Chairman of FICAN Abuja, Mr. Bassey Udo, commended the Minister for his longstanding relationship with the media, recalling his availability to engage journalists during the tax reform process, including a session in Abuja where the Minister responded at short notice, a gesture he said members of the Association still appreciated.
Udo assured the Minister of FICAN’s continued cooperation in helping the government publicize its activities for the proper and effective education of the public, describing the media as a vital bridge between the government and the people, and the primary channel through which citizens are informed about government policies and programmes.
He stressed that at a time of significant economic difficulty for the country, the government and the media needed to work more closely together to adequately inform citizens about ongoing developments and the steps being taken to improve their living conditions, particularly regarding the economy.
He noted that a strong partnership between government and the media would help shield the public from the dangers of misinformation.
The FICAN Chairman further solicited the Minister’s support for the Association’s programmes, particularly the publication of its quarterly newsmagazine, BusinessLine, which was established as a platform for public enlightenment on government policies bordering on finance, business, and the economy.
He also informed the Minister of FICAN’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for February next year, disclosing that members had resolved to invite him as Special Guest Speaker on the theme: “The Fiscal Authority as a Catalyst to Realizing the $1 Trillion Economy Agenda.”
Udo pledged FICAN’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Finance, alongside monetary authorities, to support the implementation of policies aimed at building a strong and virile economy that benefits all Nigerians.
