Shettima calls on PR professionals to foster public trust at NIPR Week

Business, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on public relations practitioners in Nigeria to communicate government policies with clarity and professionalism, stressing that effective communication is vital to fostering public confidence and trust.

Speaking on Tuesday at the 3rd Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Week in Kaduna, hosted by Governor Uba Sani, Shettima underscored the indispensability of public relations in governance. He warned that policies and reforms that are poorly explained often lead to public 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,” the Vice President said. He emphasised that practitioners must not only explain what government is doing, but also why it is being done, how it serves the public good, and the role of citizens in its success.

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Shettima highlighted that reforms undertaken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration can only succeed if citizens understand their purpose and benefits. He urged PR professionals to frame government initiatives in ways that resonate with the public, thereby strengthening democratic governance and reform outcomes.

During the event, the Vice President also commissioned the newly built Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House (Government House), Kaduna. He commended the NIPR for its role in advancing professional standards in communication and for providing a platform to discuss the evolving responsibilities of public relations in national development.

Shettima’s remarks reinforced the government’s recognition of communication as a cornerstone of reform. He noted that effective engagement with citizens is essential to sustaining confidence in governance, particularly at a time when Nigeria is undergoing significant economic and social transformation.

The NIPR Week 2026 brought together practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders to deliberate on the role of public relations in shaping public perception and strengthening national unity. The Vice President’s charge is expected to galvanise PR professionals to adopt more strategic approaches in communicating reforms and policies to the Nigerian public.