Professor Olumuyiwa Popoola has disclosed that effective development communication is essential to the transformation of the 774 local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria into functional engines of economic growth and grassroots accountability.
Effective Development Communication and the LGAs
The distinguished professor of Journalism, Communication and Media Studies at Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, stated this while addressing an audience of traditional rulers, local government representatives, civil society actors, and media practitioners.
The event was the official launch of the Nigeria Local Government News (NLGN), held at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State.
David Tosin Bakare is the Convener and Publisher of NLGN.
Professor Popoola was of the view that conventional public-sector publicity has fallen 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 event, which coincided with the 2026 World Development Information Day, was themed “From 774 LGAs to 774 Engines of Development: A Development Communication Perspective.”
It brought together media executives, traditional rulers, civil society leaders, and development experts to chart a new course for grassroots governance.
Redefining The Role Of The Media Through Development Communication
Professor 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,” he stated.
Drawing from foundational scholars like Wilbur Schramm and Everett M. Rogers, the distinguished scholar and development communication expert emphasised that access to information was 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.
This was as he stresses that “the discipline gives citizens the necessary tools to influence decisions affecting their immediate environment.”
Strategic Frameworks For Grassroots Accountability
Stakeholders at the conference acknowledged 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
The stakeholders agreed that transforming Nigeria’s 774 local government areas—alongside recognised local council development areas—required 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 Professor Charles Adetunji.
