Public trust is built not only on sound policies but also on the compassion with which those policies are explained.
By NASTV Africa.
Governments are rarely judged solely by the policies they implement. They are equally judged by how they communicate those policies, especially during periods of economic hardship and national uncertainty. At such moments, words matter as much as actions because communication has the power to strengthen public confidence or deepen public frustration.
One of the greatest risks any administration faces is not criticism from political opponents but unquestioning defence from those entrusted with speaking on its behalf. There is an important distinction between defending government policy and presenting every government position as beyond criticism. The former builds credibility. The latter risks eroding it.
Recent comments attributed to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga have reignited conversations about the tone and responsibility of government communication in challenging times. Reports quoting him as saying that “hunger is exaggerated” and “insecurity is exaggerated” have generated significant public debate. The concern is not that government policies should not be defended. Rather, many Nigerians interpreted the remarks as lacking empathy for the realities they experience every day.
For millions of citizens facing rising food prices, declining purchasing power, unemployment, and persistent security concerns, the first expectation from government communication is acknowledgement before explanation. People who feel heard are often more willing to listen. Facts may inform public understanding, but empathy assures citizens that their government recognises their struggles.
This is where effective public communication begins.
A presidential spokesperson occupies a unique position. Beyond defending government decisions, the office serves as the bridge between government intentions and public perception. Every statement from that office carries symbolic weight because it shapes how citizens interpret the priorities, values, and sensitivity of an administration.
History demonstrates how easily public statements can outlive the circumstances in which they were made. Political communication has repeatedly shown that comments perceived as dismissive of public suffering often become defining moments in public memory. Whether entirely fair or not, governments are frequently remembered not only for the policies they introduced but also for how they spoke to citizens during difficult periods.
Equally debated was the reported advice that Nigerians should “stop travelling at night.” Encouraging citizens to exercise caution is a legitimate public safety message. However, many observers questioned whether such advice should become the central response to widespread security concerns.
The primary constitutional responsibility of government remains the protection of lives and property. Citizens naturally expect official communication to reinforce confidence that insecurity is being confronted decisively rather than creating the impression that law abiding Nigerians must permanently adjust their lives around criminal activities.
For many Nigerians, travelling at night is not a matter of luxury but of necessity.
Commercial drivers, traders, students, healthcare workers, and countless low income earners often depend on overnight travel because it is the most affordable or practical option available. Air travellers may continue to move freely throughout the night, but millions who rely on road transportation have limited alternatives. Against this backdrop, advice to avoid night travel may unintentionally appear to shift the burden of insecurity from the state to the citizen.
More importantly, insecurity is no longer confined to the night.
Across different parts of the country, attacks have occurred in daylight, on highways, in farming communities, markets, schools, places of worship, and even inside residential areas. The challenge extends beyond the timing of travel. It is fundamentally about restoring public confidence that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to move freely without fear.
What appears absent from much of the recent communication is empathy.
Empathy should never be mistaken for weakness. On the contrary, it is one of the most powerful instruments of effective governance. A mother struggling to feed her children, a worker whose salary no longer meets basic needs, or a family grieving the loss of a loved one to violence does not first seek statistics or reassurance that their suffering is overstated. They seek acknowledgement that government understands their pain and remains committed to improving their circumstances.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, throughout his political career, frequently emphasized engagement with the concerns of ordinary Nigerians. Much of his political identity was built around recognizing the realities confronting citizens and advocating reforms he believed would address them. It is therefore reasonable to expect that official communication from his administration should reflect not only policy objectives but also the empathy that has long characterized his public engagements.
Strong government communication does not require denying hardship.
It requires honestly acknowledging present difficulties while presenting a credible pathway towards improvement. Citizens are generally more willing to endure temporary sacrifice when they believe their leaders understand the burden they carry and are transparent about the journey ahead.
Ultimately, loyalty to an administration should never come at the expense of public trust. The most effective spokesperson is not the one who insists government is always right. It is the one who protects the government’s credibility by communicating with accuracy, humility, compassion, and respect for citizens’ lived experiences.
Nigeria undoubtedly faces complex economic and security challenges. Addressing them requires bold reforms, institutional resilience, and public patience. Yet those realities should never be communicated in language that appears to diminish the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
In governance, empathy is not a political luxury. It is a strategic necessity. Public confidence grows when leaders acknowledge pain, communicate honestly, and inspire hope through both policy and compassion.
The strongest governments are not those that deny suffering. They are those that recognise it, confront it, and lead their people through empathy, transparency, and purpose.
NASTV AFRICA
Manifesting Africa’s Greatness.
