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A Peoples Democratic Party leader and convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has called for more investment in professional communications training for government spokespersons following the controversy generated by a recent live broadcast interview between presidential aide Daniel Bwala and international journalist Mehdi Hasan.
The interview, which has since circulated widely on social media, sparked debates among political observers and communications experts about the standards expected of government representatives during high-profile international media engagements.
Reacting to the development in a statement made available to journalists, Showunmi said Nigeria would benefit greatly from strengthening the professional capacity of those tasked with speaking on behalf of public institutions.
He noted that spokespeople’s performance during international interviews plays an important role in shaping global perceptions of a country’s leadership and policies.
Showunmi said: “Nigeria, like many democracies, would benefit from greater investment in professional communications training for those tasked with representing public institutions.
This strengthens not only the credibility of individual leaders, but also the country’s voice on the global stage.”
The PDP chief explained that public communication at the highest level of government is a challenging responsibility that requires preparation, experience and discipline.
According to him, spokespersons occupy a sensitive position in governance because they operate at the intersection of political explanation, public perception and national reputation.
He said that every word, tone and response given during a media interview contributes to how governments are judged by both domestic and international audiences.
Showunmi added that appearances on platforms hosted by experienced interviewers like Hasan should not be treated as routine engagements but as strategic opportunities to effectively communicate government policies.
He said: “Expertise in this field is rarely a matter of instinct. It is the result of preparation, experience and respect for the challenging craft of strategic communications.”
The PDP chief further noted that effective spokespersons usually possess years of experience in areas such as campaign messaging, media briefings, crisis communication and policy interpretation.
He also stressed the need for spokespersons to maintain message discipline and composure during difficult interviews, noting that expert communicators are trained to redirect hostile or loaded questions towards the central message of the government they represent.
Showunmi added that many successful governments around the world invest heavily in communication training, simulation exercises and professional coaching to prepare their spokespersons for high-pressure interviews.
He warned that in an era where a single media appearance can go viral globally within minutes, the performance of government representatives during live broadcasts has become an important component of modern governance.
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