NCDMB to host reading session for Nwabuikwu’s The Pain and The Promise

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will hold the fifth edition of its Book Reading Programme on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. This event will feature Paul C Nwabuikwu, who is a writer, journalist, public policy analyst, and strategic communicator.

This edition will highlight Nwabuikwu’s latest book, The Pain and the Promise: Insights and Fragments on Nigeria and People, Public and Personal. The book is a collection of writings that span over three decades and shows the author’s deep engagement with Nigeria, its people, politics, economy, public policy, and how society is changing.

The book reading programme is part of NCDMB’s ongoing effort to support literacy, critical thinking, and knowledge sharing through events with top Nigerian authors and thinkers. Since it started, the book reading series has been a platform for deep discussions and shows NCDMB’s commitment to developing people beyond the oil and gas industry.

Participants will have the chance to interact with the author and discuss the issues explored in the book. This session will spark conversations about Nigeria's history and present, leadership, governance, public policy, and the human stories behind key national events.

Nwabuikwu’s career covers journalism, public policy, strategic communications, advertising, brand building, and opinion research. He began his journalism career in 1988 and has worked with top media houses in Nigeria, including Newswatch, THISDAY, and THE GUARDIAN.

He has also held government positions, including Special Assistant on Communications to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala during her time as Minister of Finance and Head of the Economic Management Team. His work has given him valuable insights into how public policies affect institutions and the everyday lives of Nigerians.

The Pain and the Promise has received praise from prominent Nigerian leaders and scholars. During its public launch in Abuja, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka, and Vice Chancellor of Baze University, Prof Abiodun Adeniyi, called the book an important addition to Nigeria’s intellectual and public policy discussions.

Through the Corporate Communications Book Reading initiative, NCDMB continues to uplift Nigerian authors and create spaces that promote learning, intellectual growth, and idea sharing. The Board believes that these activities are key to building a knowledge-based society and helping individuals engage with both national and global matters.

The fifth edition is expected to gather professionals, students, industry players, and the public for an engaging discussion about Nigeria, its people, and the ideas and experiences that shape the country’s future.

This edition builds on earlier conversations from previous sessions, which featured notable Nigerian authors and their works. The most recent sessions showcased HRM King Bubaraye Dakolo with his book, Pirates of the Gulf, and Dr Dakuku Peterside, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), who discussed his book, Leading in a Storm.

The upcoming session with Paul C Nwabuikwu will bring fresh perspectives to the discussions promoted through the NCDMB Corporate Communications Book Reading Programme.