NIPR Advocates “Inclusive Communication” for National Unity
The Vice President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, has emphasized that fostering national unity in Nigeria requires deliberate and inclusive communication strategies across all levels of governance and public engagement.
Delivering a presentation titled, “Inclusive Communication for Managing Diversity and National Cohesion,” at the Nigeria Spokespersons Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, Dandaura stated that inclusive communication remains one of the most powerful tools for bridging social divides in a plural society like Nigeria.
He warned that Nigeria cannot afford the luxury of careless or exclusionary communication, especially from its institutions and leaders, stressing that the tone and content of public messaging can either unite or fragment the nation.
“Inclusive communication must be seen as a strategic imperative,” Dandaura said. He traced much of Nigeria’s persistent tension and disunity to the way narratives are framed and whose voices are elevated or silenced.
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Prof. Dandaura cautioned that the country’s democratic progress and developmental goals would remain fragile unless communicators adopt unifying, respectful, and context-sensitive language.
“Our challenge is not the diversity itself, but how we manage and communicate around it,” he added. “If we truly want to build a cohesive nation, we must begin by changing the tone, language, and lens through which we engage with our citizens.”
While giving his perspective on Dandaura’s presentation, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, who is the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), described inclusive communication as a critical tool for national survival in Nigeria’s complex socio-political landscape.
According to him, the communication ecosystem in Nigeria must evolve to reflect the multicultural and multi-religious realities of the country.
He stressed that the media and government spokespersons must become deliberate in shaping narratives that unify and inspire confidence. “As public communicators, our job is not just to inform—it is to build bridges, clarify misperceptions, and create a shared sense of nationhood,” he added.
