Evolution and Emergence of the Ministry of Information: An Empirical Perspective

Abstract

This study traced the history and evolution of the Ministry of Information in Nigeria from the British colonial administration up to 1990. Based on Harold Lasswell's communication model, the study investigated the Ministry's emergence from a government printing press outfit to a full fledged Ministry, reflecting broader trends in strategic communication evolution in Nigeria. It used a historical approach, employing archival and documentary research methods and relying heavily on primary and secondary sources for data gathering. Some in-depth interviews were also conducted with top officials of a few Information Ministries to strengthen data from archival sources. Findings show that there has been an overlapping of functions between the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recent times. It reveals that the Ministry of Information took root from the government printing press in the 1920s31940s and grew into an "octopus" government Ministry, playing a significant role in the government's public communication. Furthermore, it highlights that the British colonial government, which founded the Ministry, used it for publicity and public relations purposes to gain the goodwill of citizens, a practice relevant to government-media relationship studies. The study concludes with some recommendations, among which is the creation of units of the Information Ministry in the local government areas of the country, believing that the localisation of this important Ministry would improve the relationship between society and the government and promote good governance.