The Role of Interpersonal Communication in Promoting Development in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the role of interpersonal communication in promoting sustainable development in Nigeria. It argued that development is not only a structural and policy-driven process, but a fundamentally relational and communicative one that depends on dialogue, trust, and cooperation among individuals, communities, and institutions. Adopting a qualitative thematic approach and drawing on secondary data from relevant literature, the study showed how interpersonal communication in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities shaped attitudes, influenced behaviour, and mobilised active participation in development initiatives. It further demonstrated that weak interpersonal communication contributed to mistrust, poor policy implementation, and social fragmentation, while strong, participatory communication fostered civic engagement, institutional effectiveness, and grassroots transformation. It concluded that for Nigeria to achieve meaningful and sustainable development, interpersonal communication should be treated as a foundational process rather than a mere support tool, deliberately nurtured at all levels of society to turn development from a distant policy idea into a lived, shared reality.