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ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu’s recent restructuring of the State House media and communications team has sparked mixed reactions on social media. The announcement, which saw Sunday Dare and Daniel Bwala take on newly defined advisory roles, has led to widespread debate over its implications for governance and communication strategy.
The move was announced on November 18, 2024, by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. He revealed that Dare would now serve as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications, while Bwala assumes the role of Special Adviser, Policy Communication. Together with Onanuga, the trio will function as collective spokespersons for the presidency.
While some users commended Tinubu for refining the administration’s communication strategy, others raised concerns about redundancy. “Three people doing the same job? So much for reducing the cost of governance,” tweeted @TheHeroNG, highlighting concerns over the perceived inefficiency of having multiple media advisers.
Another user, @Karovoni, mocked the timing of Bwala’s role change, posting, “While Bwala was on TV talking about his media role, it was being reassigned. Lol.”
Despite the criticism, some commentators praised the president’s decision. “A president that listens,” wrote @Mautiin01, suggesting that Tinubu’s restructuring demonstrates his adaptability and responsiveness. Others emphasized the importance of having multiple perspectives within the communications team to enhance clarity and consistency in government messaging.
However, not everyone was convinced of the strategy’s effectiveness. “State capture in full force,” remarked @ipob_central, referencing concerns over political consolidation. Some users called for tangible results rather than structural changes. “This won’t mean much if the communication remains unclear,” one commenter noted.
The restructuring aims to streamline the presidency’s communication process, ensuring the consistent dissemination of policies and decisions. Whether the new structure will meet public expectations remains to be seen.
