General News
COVID-19: The imperative of Strategic Communications in Overcoming the Challenges of Coronavirus Pandemic in Nigeria
By Francis Nwosu
When the earliest Coronavirus (COVID-19) case was detected on November 17, 2019, in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China, little did the world know that it would be declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This was after Chinese authorities had tried to cover it up by muzzling the country’s scientific community that had warned of the virus’ deadliness.
In Nigeria, hearts were in mouths as the Federal Ministry of Health announced Nigeria’s index case on February 27, 2020. He was an Italian that flew in from Milan for a business meeting. Since then, the number of confirmed Nigerian infections has risen to 442 as of April 16. There have been 152 recoveries and 13 deaths.
Like some citizens and residents in the West, several Nigerians were also sceptical about the disease. They dismissed it as a hoax, but events have proved otherwise. Sadly, the initial scepticism has proved to be a massive drawback to government’s effort to combat the virus early.
Of course, pandemics have precedence in human history. There was the Flu pandemic of 1889 to 1890 that killed 1 million people; Spanish Flu (1918-1920), and Asian Flu (1957-1958) that had about 500 million cases with one-fifth of those killed. The H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic recorded 1.4 billion cases and killed between 151,700 and 575,400 people.
Ironically, the trajectory of such pandemics and epidemics, including Ebola is that they have a similar path in Nigeria. The first case was in Lagos, then Ogun and Ibadan before it spread to other Nigerian communities and states.
Nonetheless, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed our tardy response to emergencies. It has similarly exposed our grossly inadequate health, humanitarian, security, educational, labour, governance and fiscal arrangements. These gaps require that more proactive and urgent actions need to be taken to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
Apart from scaling up the medical intervention, strategic communications and reputation management experts are needed at this point in time to reassure citizens and get their backing for government efforts to defeat the disease.
People need to be well informed of the various measures to break the virus’ transmission cycle, including physical/social distancing, restriction of movement, and the necessity of maintaining thorough personal hygiene.
They need to be educated about why they need to comply with these directives, and understand the weightier benefit of staying at home instead of hopping about ‘for their daily livelihood.’
Strategic public relations actions leveraging community influencers and local dialects should be deployed by state and local governments for community engagement with the people at the grassroots.
Using relatable cultural communication at a time like this will foster people’s awareness of the pandemic and the systems authorities are putting in place to mitigate further spread.
Despite government efforts to curb COVID-19, as well as donations of cash, relief materials and volunteer service from well-meaning Nigerians and institutions, the challenges of stopping this disease are enormous.
Thus far, these efforts seem like a drop in the ocean. And this is not to discredit these interventions but, anecdotal evidence nationwide show negligence and partisanship in the distribution of relief materials. Trust gap is also widening.
So, the onus, now, is on government to swiftly onboard relevant professional bodies to drive strategic communications, behavioural change and strong advocacy to deepen the current response to COVID-19 in a more seamless and coordinated manner.
Engagement of PR consultants will go a long way to drive tactful messaging content that will appeal to targets and help to manage their expectations. Experts in marketing communication and information management, more than ever, need to be drawn in to help up the ante.
They should become the advisory ombudsman amongst various interest groups and institutions to strengthen collaborations that will accelerate the efforts to defeat Coronavirus.
With effective communication and enlightenment, the public will become more enlightened about COVID-19. All the nonsensical myths that the virus cannot survive in a hot region or is a conspiracy of the West to use 5G technology to destroy the world will stop.
The deployment of well-articulated and strategic communications will ensure effective risk mitigation communication, control of misinformation and eradication of ignorance. It will also reveal the antics of mischief peddlers masking as community voices in their circle of influence.
The importance of strategic communications notably PR, cannot be exhausted in just one breathe. The time is now to drive an articulate messaging on relief efforts by government agencies. It will additionally ensure that people are knowledgeable about all the issues about management of the challenges posed by the virus.
As the whole world strengthens commitments to end Coronavirus so it does not ruin humankind, Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind with tardy communication and poor planning.
Nwosu is an Associate Analyst, Content and Creative, with Chain Reactions Nigeria.
Avon Medical, a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings has officially launched an ultramodern hospital facility in Surulere, Lagos.
L-R: Emmanuel Nnorom – Group CEO, Heirs Holdings; Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser on Health to the Lagos State Governor; Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Group Chairman, Heirs Holdings; Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chairperson, Avon Medical Practice; H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor, Lagos State; Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, CMD, LUTH & Representative of the Minister for Health; Dr. Akinbiyi Oke, CEO, Avon Medical; Professor Emmanuel Akinola Abayomi, Honorable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State; Chidi Okpala, Group Executive Director, Heirs Holdings; at the launch of the Avon Medical ultramodern facility in Lagos on April 14, 2025.
At the historic event, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor, Lagos state, who inaugurated the 50-bed, fully equipped facility, said that Avon Medical has put its name in the sand of time in this industry.
The opening ceremony was attended by top government officials, healthcare professionals, and industry stakeholders.
Also present at the event were Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate represented by the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo.
The new hospital features comprehensive diagnostic services, obstetrics and gynecology (O&G), pediatrics, and neonatal care, and is designed to serve the growing healthcare needs of Lagos residents.
Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Sanwo-Olu praised Avon Medical for its long-standing commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Sanwo-Olu said: “This is more than just a hospital. It’s a bold statement of what private sector collaboration can do in transforming our healthcare landscape. For one facility to offer full diagnostics, O&G, pediatric, and neonatal care, it shows the level of intentional investment and vision behind Avon Medical.”
The Governor further commended Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chairperson, Avon Medical and co-founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, for her dedication to building sustainable healthcare institutions.
He said: “Dr. Awele Elumelu chose not to be comfortable in her success, but instead to invest in something meaningful something that impacts lives directly.”
“The health sector requires long-term commitment rather than short-term returns. Healthcare is not a sector where profits come quickly. It takes vision, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose.”
“We are building the largest pediatric hospital and the largest mental health facility in Sub-Saharan Africa. Health is wealth, and we’re backing that statement with action and funding. 8–10% of Lagos State’s annual budget is allocated to the health sector.”
Also speaking, Dr. Elumelu, AVON Medical Chairperson said they from the beginning resolved to focus on the problems which include overburdened public hospitals, lack of modern equipment, medical professionals being stretched to their limits, too many people frustrated as they simply couldn’t get medical help in time.
“We could not look away, so we decided to do something about it,” she said.
“That single decision to step in gave birth to Avon Medical and our health insurance company, Avon HMO.
“The first, to provide excellent healthcare services, and the other to ensure that people could actually afford them.
“That combination was deliberate. It was our way of ensuring we were not only building facilities, but we were also creating access to them.”
She said the initiative them from the humble beginnings of operating just a work-site clinic at a single location had grown into a 50-bed hospital network, including a Dialysis Centre, and several worksite clinics.
She said why the decision they took then matter could be seen from the staggering facts about our healthcare system on the Africa continent which has over 20% of the global disease burden yet has access to only 1% of healthcare resources; approximately 48% of Africans lack access to the quality healthcare they need; Only about 3% of global health workers serve our continent; In Nigeria alone, the gap in the number of available and qualified doctors, beds, and equipment reflects a system under pressure; The African healthcare system is the hardest hit by the migration crisis.
She said the challenges were not just mere numbers, but real people, real stories, real lives.
“And far too often, they represent women and children. Which is why this facility matters,” she said.
With the medical facility, she said more women will now receive the maternal care they need to safely bring life into the world.
“It means more children will get timely diagnoses, life-saving treatments, and a better shot at long, healthier lives,” she said.
“ It means more families will have access to quality and affordable healthcare services that they deserve.
“This is what we are building: a healthcare system that leaves no one behind.”
Describing the project as a reflection of “our philosophy—Africapitalism, she said, “The belief that the private sector has a major role to play in our continent’s development.
“The belief that we have a responsibility, not just to generate profit but most importantly, to create a lasting impact, to do well and do good.”
She also made it clear that to solve problems, to improve lives that will transform Africa would not end with the new project.
“ This achievement is not the end. It is only a springboard. Our vision has always been bold: to create a network of health solutions that are not only accessible and affordable, but also world-class,” she said.
Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) has warned of an imminent shutdown of power generation plants due to unpaid invoices totalling over ₦4 trillion.
This debt comprises ₦2 trillion for 2024 and ₦1.9 trillion in legacy debts, severely impacting the companies’ ability to meet financial obligations.
According to a statement signed by Col. Sani Bello (Rtd), chairman Board of Trustee Power Generation Companies, on Monday said despite generating electricity consumed on the national grid, power generation companies haven’t received corresponding payments, leading to a liquidity crisis.
This crisis he said has reduced their ability to perform obligations, threatening the entire electricity value chain.
To address this crisis, the APGC has demanded immediate implementation of payment plans to settle all outstanding GenCos invoices.
The association also called for a reprioritization of payments under the waterfall arrangement, giving full priority to 100% payment of GenCos’ invoices as at when due. This would enable them to sustainably generate power and meet critical needs.
The APGC said A clear financing plan is also necessary to backstop exposures in NERC’s Supplementary Order to the MYTO and DRO 2024
This plan would provide stability and predictability for the power sector, allowing GenCos to plan and invest for the future.
Furthermore, the Association is seeking payment security guarantees backed by World Bank/AFDB to guarantee full payment to GenCos.
This would enable them to meet critical needs, improve generation, and implement growth and expansion plans.
General News
NITDA Calls for Comments, Inputs on the Draft Technical Standards For Digital Public Infrastructure
The National Information Technology Development Agency wishes to announce the release of the draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for public consultation and is actively soliciting public comments and inputs on this pivotal document.
This landmark step underscores the government’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, secure, and interoperable digital ecosystem that will drive economic growth, enhance public service delivery, and empower citizens across the nation.
The Public may recall that on the 4th of March 2025, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, released the Digital Public Infrastructure Framework. The DPI framework presents a platform for reforming public service delivery, utilising a whole-of-government approach, which includes the opportunity for the private sector to build and deliver cross-cutting services that will enhance citizens’ well-being and access to services.
The Framework also establishes the Nigerian Digital Public Infrastructure Centre (Ng-DPIC) as the program implementation office to coordinate the national effort to educate, support research and deliver appropriate knowledge management for developing Nigeria’s DPI. The aim is to engage meaningfully in developing a robust DPI-driven architecture that benefits society.
In furtherance of the above, this draft Technical Standards for DPI provides a structured approach for developing and deploying Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
They define the essential technical requirements and proven techniques to ensure interoperability, security, and efficiency across digital services. By establishing clear guides, these standards support the seamless integration of DPI components, fostering a secure, scalable, and resilient digital ecosystem in Nigeria.
Furthermore, it outlines the structure for integrating sectorial DPIs, including but not limited to digital identity systems, payment platforms, and data exchange frameworks. It aims to establish clear guidelines for interoperability, data protection, cybersecurity, and the participation of both public and private sector stakeholders in building digital public goods (DPGs), utilising these critical digital foundations.
Extensive research, international best practices, and consultations with various stakeholders have guided the development of this draft technical standards. It reflects the government’s vision to leverage the power of digital technologies to achieve its national development objectives and improve the lives of all Nigerians.
Key objectives of the draft Digital Public Infrastructure Regulation include:
Enhance Interoperability: Ensure seamless communication across platforms, agencies, and services
Ensure Data Security and Privacy: Protect sensitive information while complying with local and international regulations
Promote Accessibility and Usability: Create inclusive systems that are easy to navigate and cater to all citizens, including marginalised groups.
Define Performance Benchmarks: Establish metrics to ensure systems are reliable, scalable, and efficient.
Foster Governance and Compliance: Provide clear accountability, transparency, and regulatory alignment rules
Encourage Innovation: Facilitate the adoption of open-source technologies while adhering to proper usage guidelines.
Standardise Testing Practices: Ensure consistent validation of systems to meet defined technical and user requirements.
The Federal Government recognises the crucial role of public input in shaping effective and impactful regulations. Therefore, it invites all stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, civil society organisations, academia, and international partners, to review the draft regulation and provide valuable feedback.
The draft Technical Standards for Digital Public Infrastructure Regulation is available for review on the website of [Insert]. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments and suggestions in writing regulations@nitda.gov.ng by May 8, 2025.
Following the public consultation period, the Agency will carefully consider all feedback received before finalising and implementing the Digital Public Infrastructure Regulation.
This initiative represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. The Federal Government believes that a well-defined and effectively implemented DPI framework will be instrumental in unlocking the full potential of the digital economy and achieving sustainable and inclusive development for all Nigerians.
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