Odita Sunday 
FG Warns Against Misinformation, Says Poor Crisis Communication Can Worsen National Emergencies
By Odita Sunday
Amid growing security concerns, policy debates and the rapid spread of misinformation across digital platforms, the Federal Government has warned that poor crisis communication could aggravate national emergencies and erode public trust in governance.
The warning was issued on Tuesday in Abuja at a one-day workshop on “Crisis Management and Communication for Government’s Information and Public Relations Officers,” organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Information Chapel, in collaboration with Triple Peace Africa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire, said the way government communicates during crises now determines whether public confidence will be strengthened or destroyed.
Represented by the Director, Production and Publication, Mr Ibidapo Okunnu, the Permanent Secretary described crisis communication as central to governance, stability and national trust.
“In an age defined by rapid digital transformation, instant information sharing, and the ever-present threat of misinformation, how government communicates during a crisis can either fortify public confidence or dismantle it in seconds,” he said.
Dr. Ukaire commended the leadership of the NUJ Federal Information Chapel and Triple Peace Africa for organising the training, describing the initiative as strategic and timely.
According to him, Information and Public Relations Officers remain “first responders on the frontline of governance,” especially during economic challenges, security concerns, public health emergencies and policy misunderstandings.
He stressed that crisis communication should not be used to conceal reality but must be anchored on transparency, empathy, speed and accuracy.
“A single uncoordinated statement can exacerbate a national emergency, while a well-managed, proactive strategy can calm anxieties and rally the public toward a solution,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary further assured the organisers of the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining similar capacity-building programmes across the country, noting that effective state communication requires a highly skilled and agile workforce.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the NUJ Federal Information Chapel, Comrade Raphael Towoju, said government communicators must move beyond traditional public relations methods to confront the realities of modern information crises.
He noted that in an era dominated by instant digital communication and fragmented narratives, silence during crises was no longer an option.
“When a crisis hits, silence is not a strategy. Retrospection is not a shield,” Towoju stated.
He warned that failure by official communicators to respond promptly and strategically during national emergencies would create room for panic, misinformation and manipulation.
“The golden rule of crisis communication is simple: Tell it first, tell it accurately, and tell it yourself,” he said.
Towoju explained that the partnership between the NUJ Federal Information Chapel and Triple Peace Africa was driven by the urgent need to institutionalise proactive communication frameworks capable of mitigating crises before they escalate.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, MNIPR, described Information and Public Relations Officers as custodians of public trust and strategic communicators during periods of uncertainty.
He said the speed, quality and credibility of official communication play a significant role in shaping public perception and national stability.
According to him, crisis management must now be proactive, strategic and rooted in professionalism.
“Government communicators must be equipped not only to respond quickly but also to communicate responsibly, ensuring that facts prevail over speculation and clarity over confusion,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation recognises the strategic role of information officers in strengthening credible communication, reducing misinformation and sustaining public confidence in governance.
The workshop brought together Information and Public Relations Officers, media professionals and communication experts to examine modern approaches to crisis communication, media handling and public trust management in governance.
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