The Federal Government has called on public relations practitioners to communicate government reforms and policies with clarity and precision, stressing that public understanding is critical to building trust and ensuring policy success.

Speaking yesterday at the third Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Week 2026 in Kaduna, hosted by Governor Uba Sani, Vice President Kashim Shettima said reforms undertaken by the administration of President Bola Tinubu can only achieve their intended impact when citizens fully understand their benefits.

He emphasised that effective communication is central to governance, noting that poorly explained policies often breed distrust and resistance.

“As a government, we regard public relations as a strategic function of governance. It is integral to building trust, managing uncertainty, and sustaining reform. We must communicate not only what we are doing, but why we are doing it and how it serves the public good,” Shettima said.

“Governance cannot afford to be distant. Policy cannot afford to be opaque. Leadership cannot afford to speak a language the people no longer understand.”

The Vice President, who also commissioned the Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Government House, Kaduna, said even the most well-designed policies must be translated into relatable terms to gain public acceptance.

Addressing the theme of the conference, “Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plate,” Shettima said the role of PR professionals is vital in bridging the gap between policy formulation and its real-life impact on citizens.

He outlined key steps taken by the Tinubu administration to tackle food insecurity, including the declaration of a state of emergency on food supply, deployment of 2,000 tractors to boost mechanisation, establishment of a N100 billion agricultural fund, expansion of dry-season farming, and introduction of targeted input subsidies.

According to him, these interventions will only be meaningful when they translate into tangible improvements in the lives of farmers and households.

“A policy that does not reach the farm, the market, and the home remains unfinished business,” he stated.
Shettima urged the NIPR to uphold ethics, professionalism, and evidence-based practice, assuring practitioners of the administration’s readiness to collaborate.

In his remarks, Sani described the Vice President as a steadfast supporter of Tinubu, noting that Kaduna State is increasing budgetary allocation to agriculture as part of efforts to enhance food security.

The President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), Arik Karani, encouraged Nigerians to project the country positively, citing improvements in visa processing and airport procedures.

The keynote speaker, Brahim Chisunge, described food security as critical to national stability, urging Nigeria to address policy implementation gaps despite its vast agricultural potential.