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Use PR Experts, Agencies for Government Communication- Ojobo
This skill of the Director of Public Affairs of telecom industry regulator Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is not evident at first sight. Or second. Listen, however, to brilliant, Mr. Tony Ojobo speak on the work of the communication professional in Government and there is no doubt to the listerner that he understands hoops, loops and jumps.
Ojobo mounted the rostrum at the Breakfast Meeting of the Public Relations Consultants Association Thursday, October 29, 2015, at Adna Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. He spoke of “Communication in the Public Sector: Issues, Challenges and Prospects.”
He talked to an eager audience. The environmental context made the presentation by the NCC spokesman one that aroused even keener interest by the professionals who have gathered every month to hear their colleagues on client side speak on issues in public relations, one of the fastest growing disciplines of the modern age.
Before Ojobo was Mr Kufre Ekanem of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Emeka Oparah of Airtel Nigeria and Mr David Okeme of Unilever Nigeria.
A stellar cast in all respects and Mr Ojobo showed the shoes fit.
Thursday, October 29 was just three days into the earth-shaking news of the imposition of a fine of N1.04 trillion by his institution on telecom market leader MTN Nigeria Communications. The business world shivered. The international community paid attention. Moreover, the debates kicked in.
Upfront, Ojobo asserts that “political neutrality is a cornerstone of public sector communication.”
To communicate government or any MDA effectively, the professional has to manage masterfully various competing interests and agenda, much more so than his counterpart in the private sector.
He adds ruefully that “the politics of the day determines to a great extent the pattern of communication between government agencies.” Even more important in this balancing act, Ojobo states, is the caution: “You do not have to be political, but you must also be politically correct.”
Communication functions in the public sector to promote citizen participation in service delivery, to enable informed decision making and service design, and to engender accountability. The communication professional in government setting in Nigeria faces many challenges. They include balancing the demands of the oath of secrecy that civil servants swear and that the Colonial Government instituted many years ago versus those of the new Freedom of Information Act. “Secret files still exist since colonial times to avoid protests from the public. Is it virtue to keep corporate activities and documents secret? ” he asks.
Other challenges include “the inability of public agents to strike a balance between their loyalty to the government and the interest of the citizens” that “makes public officers shy away from telling the whole truth to avoid embarrassing the government”. There is possibility of spokespersons being misunderstood and classified as saboteurs; difficulty in determining what to share and what to keep secret; and critical and cynical reception of messages from the public sector by the media and citizens.
However, the tendency to protect MDAs from unnecessary exposure “often results in many speculations in the public domain, thus creating problems.”
Given this, are government agencies open to communication? Can they? Should they?
Ojobo is convinced that MDAs should not only be open to communication but embrace it because, as he avers, “Secrecy and non-transparency cause under-the-table dealings, making organisations prefer to be quiet on their actions.”
He notes that with FOI Act, there is no hiding place for public officers. Even so, the FOI Act has guidelines on the types of information Government Agencies and officials can release to the public. He shared many examples of effective and ineffective communication.
The NCC Communication Team handles the interface between the regulator and various stakeholders.
They include 150 million often vociferous subscribers to the different networks, the media, the network operators and the multiple players in that ecosystem, Government, and its various arms, et cetera.
The NCC, Ojobo discloses, had of necessity and choice operated a communication-centric and listening organisation. Telecommunication is ubiquitous and affects lives. It is a 24-hour service.
Challenges in the operating environment in Nigeria means there are issues on the side of customers, operators, governments.
The complaints come to NCC, which has opened its doors with a helpline, Subscribers Parliament and various platforms to listen and to address the challenges.
The above is the context for the work of the regulator. Before the recent bomb on MTN, subscribers often accused NCC of sharing bed space with those it regulates.
The networks on their part accused the institution of connivance with the market leader. As Walmart Corporation spokesman Dan Bartlett observed at the Global Public Relations Summit 2015, for NCC, as for Walmart, “there is a daily referendum on our reputation.”
Based on the experience of handling this challenging communication tasks, Ojobo recommends that Government agencies should not only have proper structured Communication Divisions but also must engage external counsel for their professional insights and detached perspective.
His declaration was music to the ears of the professional firms gathered under the PRCAN umbrella. The endorsement came against some interesting historical and contemporary background.
The government gave impetus to public relations and communication in Nigeria with the establishment of the Information Department of the Colonial Service in the 1940s. The leading organisations of the era, the private sector United African Company and the public sector Nigerian Railway Corporation, also followed suit.
Use of professional communication counsel declined over the years, though. A survey by PRCAN in 2014 showed that Governments at Federal, State and Local levels were the least in patronising PRCAN member-agencies who contrastingly played major roles in servicing no fewer than 60 major brands. NCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria were some of the few Government organs that understood the imperative of effective professional communication.
Given that there are about 500 agencies of Government, poor and ineffective communication means that citizens do not know many of the agencies or what they do. Or how to seek redress for poor or no service. They are supposed to be accountable to us citizens.
So, what about MTN? Once again, Ojobo had to show dexterity in walking a tight rope. He was at the PRCAN event in his professional capacity as a key player in communication to speak to fellow professionals. He did not come to address an NCC press briefing on the sanction of MTN.
Ojobo would only volunteer the information that it had taken NCC since 2011 to get to the point of the humungous fine. He stressed the commitment of the regulator to maintaining the sanctity of the regulatory framework in the sector as well as promoting best practice in regulation and investment for the interest of Nigeria.
He says the three other players complied with the instruction; the defaulter kept doing so wilfully. There were also security dimensions to the challenge of having unregistered SIMs on telephone networks.
Ojobo stated: “Sanction is supposed to be a deterrent. The fine of N200,000 per unregistered SIM was fixed deliberately high to deter companies from disregarding the instruction. We did not really expect that we would get to any operator and find so many improperly registered SIMs. We expect 100% compliance. If there is no compliance, there will be sanctions. That is the message.”
For the communications profession, the message of this trapeze artist is clear: Master your craft. Benchmark against best practice locally and internationally.
Make communication integral to the policy and processes of the organisation and for the public sector make it serve as an enabler in fulfilment of vision and mission. Get external counsel because of its benefits.
Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has said that Federal Government is intensifying its use of digital-economy initiatives to curb corruption among young Nigerians.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day held on Tuesday in Abuja, the AGF said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deliberately positioned technology, innovation training, and digital-skills development at the heart of its anti-corruption strategy for young people.
The event, organized by Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR) domiciled at the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had the theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”.
Fagbemi, who delivered the keynote address, said the government believes that empowered, skilled and economically engaged youths are less vulnerable to corrupt influences.
According to him, programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talents Programme (3MTT) and the recently launched Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) are already equipping millions of young Nigerians with ICT and digital-innovation skills, reducing their dependence on patronage systems that fuel corrupt practices.
“A hopeful youth is harder to corrupt; an engaged youth is harder to mislead; and an empowered youth is a powerful force for national transformation,” Fagbemi said.
He explained that by investing in digital literacy, tech entrepreneurship and innovation-driven training, the Tinubu administration aims to create a generation of young Nigerians who are globally competitive and resistant to corruption.
Beyond digital skills, the AGF pointed at several government efforts to expand educational access through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and support youth entrepreneurship via the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and the iDICE programme, providing funding, training and mentorship for young innovators in tech, entertainment, agriculture and design.
Fagbemi added that the inclusion of young people in governance, through appointments and expanded civic-engagement platforms, was another strategic tool to strengthen integrity and transparency in public life.
He urged stakeholders to deepen efforts to integrate anti-corruption values into school curricula, establish integrity clubs, mentor young leaders, and leverage ICT tools to promote transparency, whistleblowing and public accountability.
Earlier, the Head of TUGAR, Mrs Jane Onwumere said the gathering was especially meaningful because it reflected a shared truth: that tomorrow’s integrity rests significantly in the hands of the youth.
“The theme therefore, is not just a slogan but a call to action and a reminder that young people are not only beneficiaries of good governance, they are co-architects of it.
“Corruption has affected lives and the economy negatively in many ways. One of such is the “japa wave” which has seen young Nigerians leave the country in droves in search of greener pastures. This syndrome has drained the country of resources and human capital. It has in many situations split the family unit, a critical foundation for anti-corruption efforts”, Onwumere, added.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar expressed the agency’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians not only as advocates for accountability but also as active partners in shaping the future of integrity in the extractive industries and beyond.
“At NEITI, we recognize that corruption undermines opportunities for growth, distorts resource governance, and deepens inequality. We also know that a united, informed, and courageous generation can dismantle these barriers.
“This is why NEITI will continue to expand civic education, strengthen our reporting mechanisms, support youth-led innovation, and create more platforms for constructive engagement with young professionals, students, and entrepreneurs”, he added.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal to order the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and 25 other defendants accused of defrauding Nigerians of about ₦1.3 trillion through an unlawful digital asset investment scheme.
CBEX
The request was made during the first sitting of the 6th Tribunal in case IST/OA/02/2025 between the SEC and CBEX with 25 others, presided over by tribunal chairman, Hon. Aminu Jinaidu.
The SEC urged the tribunal to compel commercial banks and financial institutions nationwide to freeze all accounts linked to the defendants.
It also sought orders for the seizure of houses and assets allegedly acquired with funds sourced from unsuspecting investors.
According to the commission, CBEX operated illegally by posing as a digital assets platform and capital market operator without registration.
“CBEX is an unregistered platform promising its users 100 percent return on investments within 30 days, which is unlawful and contrary to Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act 2025,” the SEC told the tribunal.
The regulator disclosed that international authorities had previously raised concerns about CBEX.
The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong issued an advisory on April 23, 2024, warning that the platform was a suspicious virtual asset entity.
The tribunal noted that CBEX and the other defendants failed to appear in court and were not represented by legal counsel.
Hon. Jinaidu therefore ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers.
CBEX reportedly entered the Nigerian market in July 2024, operating via a website and mobile application, while claiming to use advanced Artificial Intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading.
Investors were promised returns of up to 100 percent within a 40 to 45 day lock-in period.
The scheme later collapsed, triggering widespread losses. Investigations revealed that CBEX functioned as a Ponzi scheme that siphoned more than ₦1.3 trillion, estimated at about $800 million, before disappearing.
The matter has been adjourned to January 27, 2026.
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, has launched TELE-VET, Nigeria’s first Tele-Veterinary Call Centre, marking a groundbreaking milestone set to transform access to expert animal healthcare using mobile technology.
Speaking at the event held at the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Animal Hospital, Oko-Oba, Agege, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, described TELE-VET as a transformative initiative that strengthens animal health systems, improves food safety, and accelerates agricultural innovation across the state and beyond.
She stated that technology continues to redefine global food systems, and Lagos, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, remains committed to deploying digital solutions that enhance efficiency, empower farmers, and safeguard public health. The Commissioner explained that TELE-VET addresses long-standing challenges faced by farmers and pet owners, especially limited access to timely and professional veterinary care.
Ms. Olusanya highlighted that TELE-VET builds on the existing mobile platforms, M-Agric and M-Health, available on MTN and Glo networks, which provide daily expert tips, mentorship, and animal-care guidance. By dialing *20791#, users can subscribe for ₦100/day, ₦300/week, or ₦500/month, gaining instant access to a variety of services, while all active subscribers can access the Call Centre free of charge.
She added that the Call Centre will deliver emergency support, first-aid guidance, disease-prevention information, and livestock and pet care assistance, noting that the platform helps farmers reduce costs, save time, and access expert care without traveling long distances. She emphasized that TELE-VET will also enhance surveillance and early detection of zoonotic diseases, aligning with the One World, One Health framework that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.
The Commissioner further mentioned that TELE-VET sets the stage for future innovations, including livestock and pet health insurance, e-commerce for veterinary products, improved mobility for safe animal transport, and enhanced financing opportunities for farmers, positioning Lagos as a national leader in technology-driven agricultural transformation.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems, Mr. Emmanuel Audu, commended the initiative as a groundbreaking intervention that will significantly improve service delivery within the State’s veterinary ecosystem. He stressed that TELE-VET responds to the evolving needs of farmers and pet owners who require swift and professional support to enhance productivity and ensure animal well-being.
Mr. Audu noted that the Ministry has invested extensively in strengthening the infrastructure, technical systems, and human resources needed to operate a world-class veterinary call centre. He stated that the service is a strategic investment in Lagos State’s food security architecture, enabling efficient livestock health management and timely response to potential disease outbreaks.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the Call Centre will minimize animal losses, improve farm management practices, and provide timely advisory services to farmers, aligning with the Ministry’s mandate to promote sustainable agricultural practices across all 57 LGAs and LCDAs. He praised the collaboration among veterinary professionals, ICT partners, and technical teams that made the initiative possible.
Mr. Audu reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continuously upgrading the TELE-VET platform to accommodate innovations that improve efficiency and expand service offerings. He encouraged residents to adopt the platform fully, noting that its success depends on widespread participation.
In his remarks, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Rasheed Macaulay, stated that the launch of TELE-VET marks a new era in veterinary care delivery in Lagos State. He explained that the platform provides a practical solution to challenges such as limited manpower, delayed emergency response, and difficulties reaching farmers in remote areas by connecting residents directly to certified experts.
Dr. Macaulay added that TELE-VET will strengthen disease surveillance and reporting across the State, aiding early detection of animal diseases and preventing zoonotic infections. With real-time consultations, improved documentation, and faster escalation processes, the platform will support frontline veterinarians and promote safer, healthier food systems for all Lagos residents.
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