The Convener of The Alternative Movement, Segun Showunmi, has called for increased investment in professional communication training for government spokespersons in order to prevent avoidable national embarrassment during international media engagements.
Showunmi made the call while reacting to the controversy surrounding a recent live interview between presidential aide Daniel Bwala and international journalist Mehdi Hasan.
The interview, which has circulated widely on social media, has generated intense debate among political observers and communication experts regarding the standards expected of government representatives during high-profile global media appearances.
In a statement made available to journalists, Showunmi noted that the performance of government spokespersons during international interviews plays a crucial role in shaping global perceptions of a country’s leadership and policies.
According to him, Nigeria would benefit greatly from strengthening the professional capacity of individuals tasked with speaking on behalf of public institutions.
“Nigeria, like many democracies, would benefit from deeper investment in professional communication training for those entrusted with representing public institutions. Doing so strengthens not only the credibility of individual leaders but also the country’s voice on the global stage,” he said.
The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party explained that public communication at the highest levels of government is a demanding responsibility that requires preparation, experience, and discipline.
He noted that government spokespersons occupy a sensitive position within the governance structure because they operate at the intersection of policy communication, public perception, and national reputation.
According to Showunmi, every word, tone, and response delivered during media interviews contributes to how governments are judged by both domestic and international audiences.
He further stressed that appearances on global platforms hosted by experienced interviewers such as Hasan should not be treated as routine engagements but as strategic opportunities to clearly communicate government policies and positions.
“Competence in this field is rarely a matter of instinct. It is the result of preparation, experience, and respect for the demanding craft of strategic communication,” he stated.
Showunmi added that effective spokespersons often possess years of experience in campaign messaging, media briefings, crisis communication, and policy interpretation.
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and message discipline during difficult interviews, noting that seasoned communicators are trained to redirect hostile or loaded questions toward the core message of the government they represent.
According to him, many successful governments around the world invest significantly in communication training, simulation exercises, and professional coaching to adequately prepare their spokespersons for high-pressure media engagements.
Showunmi 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 a critical element of modern governance.
