Forum of Federal Parastatal CEOs seeks to bridge the gap between government performance and public perception through coordinated communication and grassroots engagement.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, the Forum of CEOs of Federal Parastatals (FORCEPA) is positioning itself as a potential platform for communicating the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and supporting his re-election bid.
According to a commentary by development journalist Omonu Nelson, the forum has engaged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda and members of the party’s National Working Committee, over its proposed role in the 2027 political campaign.
Led by Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji, Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation, FORCEPA aims to bring together public-sector administrators who can explain government policies, communicate programme outcomes and strengthen engagement with communities across the country.
The initiative is based on the argument that the responsibility for communicating government performance should not rest solely with the APC and the Presidential Campaign Council. Rather, those involved in implementing government programmes could also contribute by providing information about their outcomes and impact.
From Policy Implementation to Public Engagement
The commentary argues that FORCEPA could provide a technical and communication support structure for Tinubu’s re-election campaign by drawing on the professional experience, institutional knowledge and networks of its members.
Its proposed approach would focus on presenting measurable results, explaining government reforms and extending public engagement beyond the traditional campaign structure.
However, the effectiveness of such an initiative would depend on its ability to communicate verifiable achievements while addressing the concerns of Nigerians, particularly over the cost of living, employment, purchasing power and living standards.
The article acknowledges that improvements in economic indicators must ultimately translate into tangible benefits for households and businesses if the administration hopes to strengthen public confidence in its policies.
Raji and Ajiboye at the Forefront
Dr Raji, who chairs the forum, is described by Nelson as an experienced telecommunications professional and administrator with more than 25 years of experience in leadership, project management and technological innovation.
He also played a role in grassroots mobilisation during the 2023 general elections as Director of National Youth Mobilisation for the South-West under the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.
Another key figure is Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) and chairman of FORCEPA’s Media and Publicity Committee.
Ajiboye brings extensive experience in media, advertising and strategic communication. According to the commentary, his role will involve helping the forum communicate government policies, identify gaps in public messaging and strengthen engagement with citizens.
The writer argues that combining technical knowledge with strategic communication could help the forum explain government programmes and their intended outcomes more effectively.
Economic Reforms and the 2027 Challenge
The commentary also points to assessments by international financial institutions and credit-rating agencies as part of the administration’s economic narrative, citing discussions around macroeconomic stability, external balances and revenue mobilisation.
Nevertheless, the central challenge remains whether these broader economic developments will produce noticeable improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians.
For Tinubu’s administration, the 2027 elections will provide an opportunity for voters to assess its record, including the results of its economic reforms and the extent to which its policies have addressed the country’s pressing challenges.
FORCEPA’s proposed involvement therefore places public communication and accountability at the centre of its strategy. Its influence will depend not only on the reach of its members but also on the credibility of the information they present and their willingness to address public concerns.
Nelson concludes that closer coordination between government programme implementers and campaign communicators could become an important feature of the ruling party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
