The Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy has reaffirmed its resolve to institutionalise strategic, transparent and citizen-focused communication across government, following the successful conclusion of a transformative two-day training programme for Public Affairs Officers. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to strengthening how the government listens, responds and connects with Lagosians in an increasingly digital world.
Held under the theme: “Social Media as a Functional Component of the 21st Century Ministry of Information and Strategy,” the training equipped Public Affairs Officers from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with practical tools to reposition social media as a core instrument of governance, not merely a broadcasting channel but a platform for accountability, engagement and trust-building.
Organised in collaboration with Open Arms Ltd, the programme marks a significant step in deepening digital capacity within the public service and ensuring that government communication remains clear, responsive and people-centred.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, formally declared the training open with a strong message that the programme represented a strategic shift in how Lagos State communicates with its citizens. He stressed that government communication can no longer be uncoordinated or reactive but must evolve into a deliberate, system-driven and accountable framework that reflects the dynamism of a modern megacity.
Bajulaiye further noted that in a fast-paced digital era where narratives shift within minutes, government communicators must be prepared, strategic and consistent. Effective governance, he emphasised, is not only about policies and service delivery but also about communicating those efforts clearly, transparently and responsibly to the people they are meant to serve.
Urging participants to treat the training with utmost seriousness, he reminded them that Public Affairs Officers are custodians of the government’s voice and reputation.
“The lessons from this training must not end in note-taking. They must translate into structured systems, measurable outcomes and improved engagement with Lagosians. Clear, factual and responsible communication is not optional; it is central to good governance. We are moving from reactive messaging to deliberate, policy-driven communication”, Bajulaiye stated.
Delivering the opening charge, lead facilitator Prof. Leke Fakoya set a purposeful tone, emphasising that the training was designed to deliver measurable governance outcomes rather than dwell on theory. He noted that the workshop was anchored on the practical impact of equipping Public Affairs Officers with the tools, skills and mindset required to strengthen public communication, deepen citizen engagement and reinforce institutional credibility in an increasingly digital era.
“This training is not about defining social media; it is about understanding what social media can do for governance. Public Affairs Officers must see it as a governance instrument, one that demands professional ethics, clarity of purpose, strategic engagement and the courage to take charge and deliberately shape the public narrative. Communication professionals must evolve from reactive responders to proactive agenda-setters, recognising social media as a frontline platform where transparency, accountability, and public trust are continuously negotiated,” Fakoya stated.
He urged officers to distinguish clearly between misinformation and fake news, overcome technophobia, and engage confidently on platforms where public conversations are taking place. The sessions across the two days reinforced a critical message: crisis communication must be structured, proactive and intelligence-driven.
Facilitators further emphasised verification and speed as essential pillars of effective response. Participants were trained to engage internal stakeholders swiftly to obtain verified facts, deploy pre-approved messaging templates, monitor media spaces continuously and select appropriate platforms for dissemination.
Strategic communication, they learned, requires understanding the psychology of public perception, aligning messages with government values, mapping audiences accurately and avoiding emotional reactions in real-time engagement. The integration of Artificial Intelligence was also positioned as a force multiplier for efficiency, planning and transparency — with the firm reminder that digital tools are assistants, not replacements for human judgment.
The Director of the Social Media Department, Dr. Olajide Atansuyi, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of governance communication in Lagos State.
“This training reflects our resolve to remain ahead of the curve. Lagos is a dynamic megacity, and our communication framework must match that dynamism. We are building systems that prioritise verification, structured digital teams and measurable impact. The goal is simple, to ensure that every MDA communicates with clarity, professionalism and strategic intent”, he said.
Participants, at the conclusion of the training, adopted a unified action framework aimed at embedding sustainable communication reforms across government. They committed to developing structured Information Toolkits within their respective MDAs, strengthening crisis preparedness mechanisms and prioritising verification and fact-checking processes. Officers also resolved to adopt citizen-centred language in all official messaging, responsibly integrate AI to enhance service delivery and implement performance measurement systems to continually refine communication strategies.
The resolutions signalled a collective shift toward standardised, accountable and data-driven public engagement. Beyond skill acquisition, the training marked a cultural recalibration within the Ministry, a shift from routine information dissemination to intentional, strategic and people-focused communication.
Participants left with a reinforced understanding that trust is built through clarity, transparency and empathy. Participants reaffirmed that in a digital era where narratives move at unprecedented speed, governance communication must be equally swift, accurate and responsible.
By embedding structure, ethical standards and measurable impact into its communication architecture, Lagos State is strengthening the bridge between government and citizens, ensuring that engagement is not only frequent, but meaningful and trust-driven.
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