Agency News
Barbara Bako, Abuja.
The Federal Government has pledged to strengthen its engagement with the media to improve public understanding of its economic policies and programmes.
At a meeting with the executive of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Abuja on Thursday, Oyedele reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving public communication on economic policies.
Oyedele said widespread misconceptions about government policies, particularly economic reforms, underscored the need for closer collaboration between the government and the media to provide Nigerians with accurate and timely information.
According to him, the Ministry of Finance intends to take a more active role in communicating its activities and policy initiatives directly to the public rather than relying on information disseminated through other channels.
“There’s a lot of things we’re doing, and there’s a lot more we will do. We wanted to be the ones who would project it, rather than getting it from the State House or other groups,” he said.
The minister said the engagement with FICAN was aimed at improving communication efficiency and fostering a stronger working relationship between the ministry and financial journalists.
“This meeting was aimed at improving efficiency and agreeing on how the government will communicate and engage with the media to enable us to work together more effectively,” he added.
Oyedele stressed that transparency and accountability were essential responsibilities of public office holders, noting that government must continually explain its actions, policies and decisions to citizens, including areas where disagreements may exist.
He said the media would play a critical role in planned public enlightenment campaigns designed to help Nigerians better understand government economic policies and reforms.
The minister also argued that informed citizens were better positioned to hold public officials accountable, adding that constructive criticism based on facts and evidence was more effective than unsubstantiated allegations.
To illustrate the challenge of misinformation, Oyedele cited public misconceptions about Nigeria’s foreign reserves, explaining that reserve assets could not simply be deployed to address domestic economic challenges in the manner often suggested by some members of the public.
He maintained that the government was not seeking favourable coverage from journalists but rather balanced and factual reporting that would help citizens make informed judgments about government policies.
The minister disclosed that additional engagements with the media would be held in the coming months as part of efforts to deepen public understanding of government economic initiatives.
Speaking on behalf of the association, FICAN Chairman, Mr. Bassey Udo, commended the minister for maintaining an open relationship with journalists, particularly during discussions surrounding tax reforms.
Udo assured the ministry of the association’s support in promoting public awareness of government policies, describing the media as a vital link between government institutions and citizens.
He said closer collaboration between government and the media had become increasingly important amid prevailing economic challenges, noting that effective communication could help counter misinformation and improve public understanding of ongoing reforms.
The FICAN chairman also sought the minister’s support for the association’s programmes, including its quarterly publication, BusinessLine, which focuses on finance, business and economic issues.
He further informed the minister of the association’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for February next year, where Oyedele is expected to be invited as Special Guest Speaker to discuss the theme, “The Fiscal Authority as a Catalyst to Realizing the $1 Trillion Economy Agenda.”
Udo reaffirmed FICAN’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Finance and other economic institutions to support policies aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
