The Federal Government's plan to mobilise 4,000 social media influencers to showcase infrastructure projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has generated public debate and reactions across social media. Minister of Works David Umahi announced the plan on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) following the students' inspection of federal road projects in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
Umahi said the proposed influencer network would help the government communicate its infrastructure projects and achievements directly to Nigerians, particularly young people, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The plan aims to provide a platform for the government to share information about its projects and engage with the public. This move has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, including politicians and citizens.
Reacting to the development, a Chieftain of All Progressive Congress, APC, Mr Abayomi Nurain Mumuni said the Tinubu administration did not need influencers or paid voices to showcase its achievements, arguing that its record should speak for itself. In a statement signed by his media aide, Rasheed Abubakar, on Sunday, September 27, Mumuni said he wrote with "a heart full of hope and conviction," having witnessed what he described as the transformation Nigeria had undergone since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office.
Mumuni said the administration inherited a country facing serious economic and institutional challenges but maintained that Tinubu had demonstrated the courage to take difficult decisions aimed at addressing the country's problems. He noted that the administration's economic reforms, institutional changes and efforts toward fiscal responsibility provide sufficient evidence of its direction without the need for paid promotion.
According to Mumuni, the evidence of the administration's efforts is undeniable, and its actions demonstrate a commitment to real change and lasting transformation. He defended the administration against criticisms over insecurity and economic hardship, arguing that many of the challenges confronting Nigerians predated the Tinubu administration. Mumuni also called for continued support for the administration, saying an additional four years would give Tinubu the opportunity to complete the work he said the government had started.
Mumuni, an internationally acclaimed author and security expert, urged Nigerians to look beyond cynicism and maintain confidence in the country's capacity for greatness. He said President Tinubu has proven his mettle and now, Nigerians must give him the mandate to finish what he has started. Mumuni's statement reflects the views of some Nigerians who believe that the Tinubu administration has made significant progress and should be given more time to consolidate its efforts.
The debate over the government's plan to mobilise influencers highlights the complexities of communication and engagement in Nigeria's democratic process. As the 2027 general elections approach, the government's efforts to showcase its achievements and engage with the public are likely to intensify. Key points include:
Key points
- The Federal Government plans to mobilise 4,000 social media influencers to showcase infrastructure projects.
- APC chieftain Abayomi Mumuni believes the Tinubu administration does not need influencers to showcase its achievements.
- Mumuni argues that the administration's record and efforts toward economic reforms and institutional changes provide sufficient evidence of its direction.
