The Executive Director of the Africa Polling Institute (API), Prof. Bell Ihua, has announced the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report, scheduled for July 3, 2025. The report aims to bridge the persistent gap between data availability and its practical application in fostering national unity, social harmony, and long-term stability.
Prof. Ihua made this known during a one-day workshop for journalists held in Abuja, themed “Promoting Effective Media Reportage Through the Use of Social Cohesion Data.” The workshop aimed to build the capacity of journalists and media professionals to interpret, contextualise, and apply social cohesion data in storytelling and advocacy for peacebuilding and national integration.
He explained that while Nigeria grapples with deep-rooted social cohesion challenges—ranging from low trust in government to high polarization and limited access to justice—equipping the media with data literacy skills is a strategic step toward reshaping narratives that promote unity over division.
According to Ihua, recent findings reveal that Nigerians tend to trust traditional and religious leaders more than governmental institutions and that access to justice is largely perceived as a privilege reserved for the wealthy and well-connected.
“Our survey findings consistently show that many Nigerians believe justice is not equally accessible,” Ihua said. “Only the rich and powerful seem able to seek redress, and this perception feeds into wider disillusionment with the state.” He urged citizens to adopt a mindset that prioritizes national identity over ethnic, regional, or religious affiliations.
“We must begin to see ourselves as Nigerians first. It is this shift in orientation that builds bridges of understanding and strengthens social cohesion,” he added.
Prof. Ihua emphasized that data can provide vital insights into issues such as trust, social relations, solidarity, civic participation, and perceptions of national unity. He noted that understanding these dimensions can inform policy decisions, enrich journalism, and improve national dialogue.
He also highlighted that the 2025 edition will be API’s fourth national report on social cohesion, following previous editions that helped define key indicators for measuring unity, tolerance, trust, civic responsibility, and inclusiveness across Nigeria’s diverse population.
From left: Executive Director, Africa Back 2 Basics, Dr. Soji Adeniyi; Head of Department, Mass Communication, Baze University, Abuja, Dr. Hamisu Muhammad; Executive Director, Africa Polling Institute, Prof. Bell Ihua; Chief Executive Officer, Aplus Trainers Ltd., Titi Ojo, and Dr. Obiora Chukwumba of Veritas University, during the capacity building workshop on promoting effective media reportage through the use of Social Cohesion Data, for public communication and media stakeholders, in Abuja
“We present the data in a way that captures people’s attitudes and lived experiences. The goal is to use this data to drive development, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance,” he stated.
Dr. Olusoji Adeniyi, a social policy expert and lead facilitator at the workshop, described social cohesion as “the strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity within a society,” stressing its significance for national stability, democratic governance, and inclusive development.
“In Nigeria, we have rich datasets and early warning systems, but the challenge has been translating that data into meaningful action,” he said. “Journalists, as agenda-setters, must be equipped to use this data in ways that deepen public understanding and shape policy.”
Adeniyi further noted that API’s nationwide surveys have revealed widespread public dissatisfaction and growing divides along religious, ethnic, and political lines—with many stakeholders either unaware of these dynamics or lacking the tools to apply them in policymaking and civic programming. He called for urgent, data-driven interventions to mitigate fragmentation and strengthen national cohesion before these divisions escalate.
Odoh Okenyodo, founder of Akweya TV and a media trainer, advised journalists to approach social cohesion reporting with professionalism, responsibility, and a strong sense of civic duty. He warned that reporting on sensitive identity-related issues carries inherent risks, especially in conflict-prone regions.
“Journalists face real threats—from limited access to reliable information to harassment, and the absence of proper insurance or institutional protection,” he said. “But this must not deter you from reporting the truth responsibly. What matters is how we frame our stories and the language we use.”
He urged journalists to avoid sensationalism and focus instead on context, nuance, and solutions-based journalism, particularly when covering ethnoreligious or regional issues.
Titilope Ojo, a development expert, also addressed participants, reflecting on the complex balance between editorial independence and media ownership interests. She acknowledged that many journalists work in environments where political or commercial interests are prioritised over nation-building narratives.
“Despite these challenges, journalists must remain conscious of their responsibility to promote national interest,” she said. “Nationalism is crucial for unity and progress. As media professionals, we must intentionally push stories that inspire shared values and identity.”
Dr. Obiora Chukwumba, a journalism scholar and analyst, delivered a presentation on the role of media and storytelling in shaping national identity and fostering cohesion. He lamented the declining quality of journalism in Nigeria, citing poor funding and shrinking reach as major factors.
“Many media outlets no longer have the resources for in-depth or investigative reporting,” he noted. “This limits their ability to tell stories that reflect the diversity of the Nigerian experience or promote unity.”
He called for sustainable business models for media organisations and renewed investment in training and innovation to raise journalism standards.
Dr. Hamisu Muhammad, Head of Mass Communication at Baze University, delivered a keynote lecture on the interplay between identity, nationalism, and media. He attributed many of Nigeria’s sociopolitical challenges to “micro-nationalism”—a trend in which ethnic or regional affiliations are prioritised over shared national identity.
“The media can either be part of the solution or part of the problem,” he said. “It all depends on the editorial choices we make and the values we choose to promote.”
He concluded by stressing the urgent need for a more inclusive and nuanced media approach—one that recognises Nigeria’s diversity while actively working to bridge, rather than entrench, differences.
As Nigeria prepares to unveil the 2025 Social Cohesion Survey, API and its partners hope that the insights generated will not only inform government policy but also equip journalists and civic actors to tell stories that unify, heal, and build trust.
The event concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between researchers, the media, and civil society to ensure that social cohesion data becomes a tool for peace, justice, and national progress.
