NPRW 2026: Kaduna Credits Communication Strategy for Food Security, Stability Gains
The Kaduna State Government has attributed recent improvements in food production, education, and healthcare access to a deliberate communication-driven, non-kinetic security strategy designed to rebuild trust and restore stability in conflict-affected communities.
Speaking at the 3rd Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2026, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Kaduna, the State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, said the state’s approach—popularly described as the “Kaduna Peace Model”—demonstrates the critical role of strategic communication in governance and security management.
The event, themed “Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plate – The Imperatives of Public Relations,” brought together policymakers, communication professionals, and development experts to explore how effective communication can drive policy outcomes.
Maiyaki explained that the Kaduna model departs from conventional media-centric messaging, adopting a grassroots, trust-based communication framework that leverages traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community networks.
“Communication is not just about radio or television. We engage communities directly through traditional institutions and local structures. This ensures trust, manages sensitive information, and supports security operations without compromising them,” he said.
From a public relations perspective, he noted that this approach has strengthened credibility, message acceptance, and community ownership, key pillars in managing conflict narratives and sustaining peace.
According to the commissioner, the integration of communication with non-kinetic security efforts has enabled farmers to safely return to their lands, leading to the recovery of over 500,000 hectares of farmland across the state.
He added that the gains extend beyond agriculture, with nearly 500 schools and over 200 healthcare facilities reopened in previously insecure areas.
“These outcomes show that communication is not abstract—it delivers real development impact. It connects policy to people and translates security gains into human development,” Maiyaki said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Muhammed Debo, highlighted how strategic communication has complemented policy execution in driving agricultural productivity.
He revealed that Kaduna State has significantly increased its agricultural budget from about ₦1.48 billion in 2023 to over ₦83 billion in the current fiscal year, signalling a shift from policy intent to practical delivery.
“Agriculture contributes about 43 per cent to Kaduna’s GDP, with over half of the population engaged in the sector. Our interventions are designed to deliver measurable impact,” Debo said.
He disclosed that over 200,000 smallholder farmers have benefited from government programmes, including free fertilisers, improved seeds, and access to mechanisation tools such as tractors and power tillers.
The interventions, he added, are expected to increase average yields from 1.5 tonnes per hectare to about 4 tonnes, reflecting improved productivity.
Debo also highlighted reforms in the livestock sector, including the establishment of more than 17 sedentary pastoral communities, provision of solar-powered boreholes, and development of grazing infrastructure.
From a communication standpoint, he noted that consistent engagement with pastoralists and host communities has helped reduce tensions and improve cooperation.
“This approach is not just about agriculture; it is about conflict resolution, trust-building, and inclusive development,” he said.
Both commissioners pointed to the revival of rural markets and trade routes as evidence of the model’s success, citing increased movement of agricultural produce from areas such as Birnin Gwari to southern Nigeria.
They stressed that strategic communication has played a central role in restoring confidence among farmers, traders, and investors.
Participants at the session agreed that Kaduna’s experience reinforces the growing relevance of public relations as a core governance tool, capable of bridging the gap between policy formulation and citizen impact.
The NPRW 2026 forum continues to highlight how effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and trust-building are essential in translating government policies—particularly in food security—into tangible benefits for citizens.
By TimesNG