Public Perception of Government Communication Strategies During Fuel Subsidy Removal in Nigeria: Evidence from Nasarawa and Abuja

Abstract

Effective policy communication is essential for building public trust and ensuring policy acceptance, especially for reforms with significant socio-economic impacts. However, the government’s communication approach was widely perceived as lacking transparency, timeliness, and stakeholder engagement. This study investigates the public perception of the communication strategies employed by the Federal Government of Nigeria during the recent fuel subsidy removal, specifically focusing on Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 387 respondents selected through Taro Yamane’s sample size formula. Results indicate that 72% of respondents were highly dissatisfied with the communication strategies due to untimely announcements and inadequate engagement. Additionally, 68% emphasized the need for proactive and transparent messaging to foster trust. The study underscores the importance of involving professional communicators and leveraging media and digital platforms for effective policy dissemination. It contributes to the discourse on strategic policy communication and offers practical recommendations for improving public engagement in future policy reforms.