9th August, 2021

A new national online survey by Gates Polls finds that 78% of Likely Nigerian Voters at least somewhat agree that Ministers determine “government’s policy success or failure, including 44% who Strongly Agree. Sixteen percent (16%) Don’t Agree, while 6% Strongly Disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Nigeria is projected to have 134.2million internet users by the end of this year. This figure is projected to grow to 187.8million in 2023. The internet penetration amounted to 47.1% of population in 2018 and is to reach 84.5% in 2023 according to Freedom House Index (2018).

Our survey revealed that more needs to be done by government officials at the cabinet level where most policy decisions are taken to maximize the plethora of platforms this huge internet user’s population provides for citizen’s engagement. The revelation across all their personal and official channels for communicating and engaging the citizens are quite revealing.

• 13 Ministers have verified social media handles.

• 16 Ministers did not engage with citizens on any social media platform in July.

• Citizen’s responses show minimal value is added by most cabinet members.

• 5 Ministers deliberately engaged citizens across most social media platforms.

• All but 2 ministries have active websites and social media handles.

Across the five social engagement platforms we researched (Ministry Website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Other mention by third parties on social media), 13 ministers (Dr Isa Ali Pantami; Prince Clem Ikanade Agba; Otunba Niyi Adebayo; RAUF AREGBESOLA; Abubakar Malami, SAN; Godswill Obot Akpabio; Timipre Marlin Sylva; Engr. Sale Mamman; Barr. Mohammed H. Abdullahi; Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki; Babatunde Raji Fashola Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba HCN and Sadiya Umar Farouq) have verified Facebook pages. Ironically, only 6 of the ministries which they superintend have verified social media handles on Facebook [Federal Ministry of Comminication and Digital Economy; Federal Ministry of Finance; Federal Ministry of Information and Culture; Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Ministry of Petroleum Resources; and FMST Nigeria].

On Instagram,  Sadiya Umar Farouq, Isa Ali Pantami, Ramatu Tijani, Aliyu, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Clem Ikanade Agba, officialchibuikeamechi, Mohammed H. Abdullahi and agf ng have  verified threads. On the other hand, the remaining 30 cabinet members have cloned social media handles litter the web where unsuspecting members of the public are misinformed and sometimes false or nonexistent recruitment and empowerment exercises are advertised to swindle the citizens.

Overall, ministers and ministries with verified social media handles for citizens engagements are ranked higher compared to those with unverified multiple dummy accounts.

Full reports of the survey information can be accessed on :

HOW MINISTER’S RANK IN JULY ON CITIZEN’S ENGAGEMENT ONLINE

Gates Polls Limited is an indigenous public opinion, survey and research company which engages in weekly opinion polls and periodic surveys about trends, politics, business and developmental issues. Monthly Ministerial Perception Rating is one of its periodic polls. The result is released on the 7th of every month except on Weekends.