Africa Polling Unit Promotes Social Cohesion in Nigeria

The Africa Polling Unit (API) has called for the integration of social cohesion principles into Nigeria's policy design and implementation. This call was made by Professor Bell Ihua, the Executive Director of API, during a capacity-building workshop held in Abuja.

The workshop aimed to equip media practitioners with tools to promote social cohesion and strengthen public trust. Professor Ihua noted that citizens increasingly feel the social contract with the government is weakening, leading to a decline in trust in public institutions.

Mr. Diego Kenyodo urged journalists to focus on human-centered reporting that reflects the lived experiences of ordinary people. Dr. Obiora Chukwumba highlighted the uncomfortable truth about the current state of the media in Nigeria, while Dr. Olusoji Adeniyi emphasized the need for media professionals to intensify efforts against misinformation and disinformation.

The workshop concluded with a call for journalists to adopt practices that strengthen national unity and amplify shared values across diverse communities.