The Federal Government has unveiled a new approach to public communication, shifting from reliance on periodic press briefings to direct and structured engagement with service-delivery ministries to ensure Nigerians clearly understand ongoing reforms and their benefits.
The new strategy was disclosed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a strategic visit to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Wednesday, as part of efforts to deepen the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during the visit, Idris said effective governance is incomplete without effective communication, stressing that government policies and reforms must be clearly explained to citizens to enhance public trust and participation.
“What is not communicated is often assumed not to have happened,” the Minister said, explaining that his Ministry is deliberately engaging key service-delivery ministries to ensure government actions and achievements are effectively communicated to Nigerians.
He commended the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for prioritising disease prevention, revitalisation of primary healthcare, medical industrialisation, expansion of cancer care services, and reduction of medical tourism.
According to him, these reforms have direct and lasting impact on the wellbeing and productivity of Nigerians.
Idris assured that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation would deploy its platforms and agencies to amplify health sector reforms, promote preventive health awareness, and ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information nationwide.
Welcoming the delegation, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, described the visit as timely and strategic.
She noted that while the Ministry has recorded notable progress over the past two years, effective communication remains critical to ensuring that Nigerians understand and benefit from ongoing reforms.
She emphasised that clear communication enhances public trust, improves service utilisation, and strengthens confidence in government programmes.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu placed health at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that a healthy population is essential for national development and economic growth.
He explained that the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative focuses on strengthening governance, expanding access to quality healthcare, boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing, improving health security, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.
Professor Pate highlighted progress in primary healthcare revitalisation, immunisation coverage, disease outbreak prevention, expansion of cancer treatment services, and increased health insurance enrolment. He noted that many achievements in the health sector are reflected in crises prevented rather than emergencies managed.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the alignment between the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Health Sector Renewal Blueprint has provided clear direction for reforms.
He outlined improvements in digital health deployment, enhanced power supply to health facilities, improved health workforce management, and reduction in industrial disputes through constructive engagement.
Dr Salako added that Nigeria now has increased capacity to manage many medical conditions locally, particularly in cancer care, reducing dependence on medical tourism while attracting patients from neighbouring countries.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment by both ministries to strengthen collaboration, deepen public awareness, and ensure Nigerians fully understand, access, and benefit from ongoing health sector reforms in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.