Tinubu Gets Nigerians’ Reactions Before Policy Changes – Information Minister Idris Reveals

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu often wants to know what Nigerians are saying about his government and its policies before deciding whether changes are needed,

Idris disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, led by its Director-General, Prof. Ayo Omotayo.

The minister said President Tinubu was interested not only in communicating government policies but also in getting feedback from Nigerians about how those policies were affecting them.

“Whenever I sit with him, the first question he asks is: ‘What are Nigerians saying?’” Idris said.

According to him, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation serves as a link between the government and the people by explaining policies to Nigerians and taking their reactions back to the government.

He said the approach allows the administration to understand public concerns and make adjustments where necessary.

Idris said, “He is not merely a president who disseminates information or announces policy decisions. He also seeks to understand what Nigerians think.”

The minister also pointed to the role of the National Orientation Agency, saying its more than 800 offices across the country give the government access to people at the grassroots.

He said the agency could gather information directly from farmers, artisans and other Nigerians, helping the government understand their concerns and expectations.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for NIPSS to seek the ministry’s support for its research into Nigeria’s creative economy.

Omotayo said the creative economy, popularly referred to as the “Orange Economy”, was the focus of the institute’s Senior Executive Course 48.

He said the study would examine the opportunities and challenges in the sector and how it could contribute to Tinubu’s target of building a $1 trillion economy.

According to him, participants in the course had visited seven states in Nigeria and several countries to study creative industries and gather information for the research.

Omotayo also announced plans by NIPSS to organize a National Summit and Exhibition on the Orange Economy.

He said the event would bring stakeholders together and showcase the potential of the creative sector.

The NIPSS boss noted that the creative economy covers about 48 areas and could play a major role in creating jobs and generating wealth.

He cited Nigeria’s music industry as an example, saying some Nigerian artistes had earned billions of naira through digital music platforms.

“We believe this particular sector can actually be one of the major sectors of the economy that will solve the problem of real unemployment,” Omotayo said.

He urged the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to partner with NIPSS to organize and promote the proposed summit.

Omotayo said the institute’s aim was to encourage Nigerians to see the creative economy as more than entertainment, but as a major sector capable of contributing significantly to national development.

The former Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed, was also present at the meeting.