By Usman Ishaq Shehu
PhD Candidate | Editor in Chief J.O.Comms | Public Affairs Analyst and Strategic Communicator
The Nigerian naira has recorded a significant gain, appreciating to ₦1518 per dollar, its strongest level in four months on the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market. This development, confirmed by data from the Central Bank of Nigeria and reported by Nairametrics, is a key indicator of macroeconomic stability under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Yet, despite its importance, this kind of news rarely makes headlines or trends across social media platforms. The question is, why?
First, we live in a time when bad news travels faster. The digital media landscape thrives on emotion driven content such as anger, fear, and outrage, not stability, progress, or policy success. A currency crash is viral. A currency gain? That is technical and not clickable. The naira’s recent strength does not come with drama, and so it gets drowned out by more sensational stories, even when they carry less significance for national well-being.
Second, Nigeria’s political culture has conditioned many to doubt every positive outcome. Years of unmet promises have led to public distrust, even when policies start yielding results. So when data shows progress, skepticism quickly replaces celebration. Many think, “If prices in the market haven’t dropped, then it doesn’t count.” But that is not how economic systems work. Exchange rate stability often precedes price stability. It is a long game, not a quick fix.
Third, we have an information imbalance. Many do not understand the broader implications of a stronger naira, such as reduced import costs, improved investor confidence, lower inflationary pressures, and stronger fiscal planning. These are the foundational pillars that help bring prices down and restore economic normalcy. Without deliberate efforts to explain these linkages, the public remains disengaged from important wins.
Lastly, positive developments often lack champions. There are few deliberate, consistent efforts to spotlight success stories within governance. Ministries, agencies, and media outlets often fail to package good news in ways that resonate emotionally or visually with everyday Nigerians.
What the naira’s current momentum tells us is simple but profound. The policies are beginning to take hold. It may not trend, but it is transformational. We must start balancing our narrative, acknowledging both the challenges we face and the steady progress being made.
Nigeria does not just need critics. It needs credible communicators of hope and honest progress.
