Welcome to Communication Lab, the Centre for Development Communication’s hub for rigorous analysis, research, and reflection on development communication. Here, we explore what communication should be—beyond publicity and PR—drawing on field experience, research, and theory to provide insights, resources, and guidance for practitioners, scholars, and policymakers. This is where ideas meet practice, shaping the future of participatory and transformative communication

Communication in NGOs is Beyond Media MentionsIn the nonprofit sector, communication is often equated with media visibility, press releases, social media traffic, and brand awareness. While these are valuable, they only scratch the surface.

We Must Move from Voter Education to Democracy Communication

For decades, democracy work in Nigeria has been reduced to voter education: teaching people how to register, how to find their polling unit, and how to cast their ballot. Important, yes — but far too limited.

The problem is that elections are not the entirety of democracy. Focusing only on voter education means we prepare citizens for election day but leave them voiceless the other 1,460 days before the next cycle.

What we need now is Democracy Communication.

A framework that deepens citizen participation beyond the ballot.

A way of making governance accountable, transparent, and people-centred.

A shift from one-off electoral messaging to continuous communication between citizens, institutions, and leaders.

Voter education prepares citizens for elections.
Democracy communication prepares citizens for democracy.

If we are serious about reform, we must expand our lens. Democracy is not just about voting; it is about living, practising, and communicating power in ways that keep people at the centre.