Nigeria's sustainability narrative is under strain as disparate ESG-communication practices erode investor confidence and public accountability. Experts advocating for a unified framework warn that without clarity and coherence, the country risks undermining its sustainable-growth ambitions.
During a panel discussion hosted by postgraduate students at PanAtlantic University, stakeholders called for the creation of a "National Sustainability Communication Standard" to integrate government, business and media messaging, thus elevating the ESG discourse from side-conversation to national imperative.
Why Unified ESG Communication Matters
The need for a coordinated ESG-communication framework in Nigeria has reached a critical juncture. According to reporting by The Guardian Nigeria, experts at a virtual forum warned that the country's fragmented approach undermines investment confidence, weakens accountability and slows development.
The proposed solution: a National Sustainability Communication Standard (NSCS) that mandates consistent, accessible reporting across ministries, corporations and media organisations. Without such alignment, sustainability efforts risk being undermined by mixed messages and limited awareness.
How Current Practices Fall Short
While multiple actors in Nigeria attempt to report on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, the messaging remains disjointed. As one panellist put it, "government speaks in policy and SDG targets, businesses focus on ESG compliance, while the media reports crises and corruption."
The cumulative effect: a communication gap that excludes the average citizen, dampens stakeholder engagement and reduces the impact of sustainability initiatives.
| Sector | Typical Communication Approach | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Government | Policy-driven statements, SDG references | Technical language, low public literacy |
| Corporate | ESG-compliance reports, annual disclosures | Dense format, limited engagement |
| Media | Crisis-led stories, issue-focused coverage | Reactive rather than integrative messaging |
This fragmented ecosystem means that many Nigerians remain unaware of what ESG means for their everyday lives, undermining the ambition to transform sustainability into shared value.
The Case for a Shared National Language
Building a unified framework is more than administrative housekeeping. It can unlock real benefits. Experts argue that simplified, accessible sustainability communication can:
- Increase transparency and accountability across sectors.
- Strengthen investor trust by demonstrating consistent messaging.
- Improve public participation and awareness by using local languages and human-centred narratives.
When stakeholders see consistent, clear communication, sustainability ceases to be a niche corporate exercise and becomes a communal endeavour, one that links cleaner environments, healthier communities and livelihood opportunities via circular economy and green jobs.
Charting the Road to Effective Communication
To move towards the proposed National Sustainability Communication Standard (NSCS), stakeholders can adopt a structured roadmap:
| Phase | Action Step |
|---|---|
| One | Establish a multi-stakeholder working group for NSCS |
| Two | Develop a one-page annual sustainability update format |
| Three | Train journalists and communicators in local-language ESG narratives |
| Four | Launch a public dashboard aggregating government, corporate and media updates |
This sequence translates broad ambition into practical next steps, aligning with the appeal made at the panel for bridging the knowledge gap through strategic stakeholder dialogue.
Path Forward – One Format, Many Voices, United Messaging
In the years ahead, Nigeria's ability to harness the value of sustainability rests on its capacity to speak with one clear voice.
By adopting a unified framework, the country can accelerate investor confidence, improve public engagement and secure a leadership position within the region's ESG transition.
Culled From: https://guardian.ng/news/experts-push-for-unified-framework-on-esg-communication/
