Distinguished Professor of Journalism, Communication and Media Studies at Ajayi Crowther University, Olumuyiwa Popoola, said effective development communication remains the missing link to transforming Nigeria’s 774 local government areas into functional engines of economic growth and grassroots accountability.
Addressing an audience of traditional rulers, local government representatives, civil society actors, and media practitioners at the official launch of the Nigeria Local Government News (NLGN), held on Saturday at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State, Professor Popoola argued that conventional public-sector publicity falls short of driving societal transformation.
“While traditional government reporting merely broadcasts official activities, development communication actively engages communities by translating policies into actionable knowledge,” he noted.
The high-profile event, which coincided with the 2026 World Development Information Day, themed “From 774 LGAs to 774 Engines of Development: A Development Communication Perspective,” brought together media executives, traditional rulers, civil society leaders, and development experts to chart a new course for grassroots governance.
Redefining the Role of Media Through Development Communication
Prof. Popoola emphasised that conventional government publicity is no longer sufficient for national progress. He argued that development communication must move beyond merely broadcasting official activities to actively equipping citizens with actionable information regarding healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and public expenditure.
“Development becomes meaningful when a farmer can access agricultural information and have appreciable returns, and when citizens can question public officials about the delivery of promised projects,” Prof. Popoola stated.
Drawing on foundational scholars like Wilbur Schramm and Everett M. Rogers, the distinguished scholar and development communication expert emphasised that access to information is a cornerstone of societal advancement.
When a farmer secures vital agricultural insights, a pregnant woman receives timely maternal healthcare data, or a community tracks an infrastructural project, communication transcends mere news reporting to become a direct tool for empowerment.
“Development communication makes development understandable, participatory, and accountable,” Popoola noted, stressing that the discipline gives citizens the necessary tools to influence decisions affecting their immediate environment.”
Strategic Frameworks for Grassroots Accountability
Stakeholders at the conference underscored the initiative’s timeliness, noting that recent judicial milestones reinforcing local government financial autonomy demand heightened journalistic scrutiny, transparency, and robust community participation across all tiers of governance.
A Collective Mandate for Sustainable Progress
As the conference concluded, stakeholders agreed that transforming Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas—alongside recognised Local Council Development Areas—requires moving past isolated media campaigns. By fostering constructive dialogue and maintaining strict professional standards, platforms like NLGN are uniquely positioned to serve as reliable bridges between local authorities and the citizenry.
Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, chaired the event. Key presentations and panel sessions featured notable industry figures, including keynote guest Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Dr. Ismail Oyetunji, Kelechi Deca, and Evelyn Ohiolei, and virtual speakers Jide Adeyemi JCI and Prof. Charles Adetunji. David Tosin Bakare was the Convener and Publisher of NLGN.
