“When Applause Deceives”: Prof. Dandaura Unmasks Power, Perception, and Nigeria’s Reputation War at NSUK’s 59th Inaugural

Nasarawa State University, Keffi, on April 15, hosted its 59th inaugural lecture, delivered by Professor Emmanuel S. Dandaura, a Professor of Strategic and Development Communication from the Faculty of Arts, Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies.

The lecture, titled “When Applause Lies: Communication, Power, and the War Between Reputation and Perception in Nigeria,” took place at the university’s Assembly Hall.

The event attracted distinguished dignitaries from academia, political and traditional institutions, members of the university community, students, as well as a strong delegation from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule, Visitor to the University, expressed delight at the lecture, highlighting the critical importance of the topic in reshaping society’s moral values. He commended Professor Dandaura for his insightful presentation and emphasized the damaging effects of misinformation, fake news, and negative influence. He urged citizens to safeguard their reputations through integrity, impactful leadership, and justice.

Governor Sule also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of the institution. He concluded with a pledge of ₦10 million in support of the inaugural lecturer.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman in her welcome remarks commended the Inaugural Lecture Committee for their dedication to the success of the programme.

She noted that the theme of the lecture resonates strongly within contemporary society, emphasizing that reputation and perception are closely intertwined with communication and power, particularly within Nigeria’s complex socio-political landscape. 

According to her, understanding these dynamics is essential for growth in a diverse society, as communication can either serve as a tool for development or a source of conflict.

The Vice-Chancellor further observed that individuals in positions of authority often shape communication channels, influencing what is said, heard, and perceived sometimes resulting in skewed narratives. She expressed confidence that the lecture would be both educative and intellectually enriching, noting that students and attendees stood to benefit immensely from the scholar’s depth of experience and knowledge.

In his presentation, Professor Dandaura explained that the lecture addresses a fundamental proposition concerning Nigeria’s imbalance between communication and perception. According to him, legitimacy does not stem from how well a system presents itself, but from how consistently it performs. While communication may shape perception, he stressed that only lived experience sustains trust.

The professor further noted that applause is not always a reflection of truth, as it can be generated, amplified, and managed often reflecting attention without conviction and visibility without trust. “Any nation that mistakes applause for belief is standing on dangerously unstable ground,” he stated, urging society to resist the temptation to chase applause and instead commit to earning genuine trust.

“Communication determines who tells the story of society. If power alone controls the narrative, applause will dominate perception,” he added.

He concluded by advocating discipline, accountability, and a renewed respect for the relationship between words and outcomes, emphasizing that communication should follow performance rather than precede it.

In separate goodwill messages, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Adam A. Binchi; the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku; and a representative of the Dandaura family, Maiwazi Dandaura, congratulated the lecturer on his academic milestone. They also commended Nasarawa State University and the Mada community for producing such an accomplished and impactful scholar, praising his contributions to academic excellence and national development.

Highlights of the event included musical and dance performances by various cultural troupes, as well as the presentation of an award for outstanding contributions to knowledge by the Governor. The ceremony concluded with group photographs to commemorate the occasion.