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By Abdullahi Ahmed
The General Manager of Radio Nigeria – Harmony FM, Hajia Binta Abubakar Mora has called on women in politics to prioritise personal branding as a pathway to gaining visibility, trust, and influence in Nigeria’s competitive political space.
Delivering a paper on “Personal Branding for Politics” at a three-day training for female political party members in Ilorin, themed “From Foot Soldiers to Front Runners,” Hajia Binta Mora described personal branding as the deliberate effort by politicians to shape their public identity in a way that distinguishes them from opponents and resonates with the electorate.
She explained that political branding goes beyond appearance, stressing that it involves defining clear values, crafting consistent messages, demonstrating competence, and connecting directly with citizens.
“A strong personal brand builds trust, creates recognition, and sustains loyalty even in times of crisis,” Mora stated.
According to the communication strategist, effective personal branding rests on key elements such as a politician’s identity, values, unique selling point, media presence, track record, and accessibility to the people.
She noted that voters are more likely to support candidates they perceive as authentic, visionary, and relatable.
Highlighting the role of media and technology, Binta Abubakar Mora urged women politicians to optimise both traditional and digital platforms for political visibility.
She advised them to leverage social media for storytelling, grassroots mobilization, crisis management, and real-time engagement with voters.
She also emphasised the need for a strategic communication management plan, which she described as the blueprint for message consistency, crisis response, and effective audience targeting.
“Without a clear communication strategy, even the best ideas and intentions may fail to gain traction with the public,” she cautioned.
The training, which drew participants from across Kwara State, sought to equip female politicians with the knowledge and skills to move beyond supporting roles in politics and to position themselves as credible leaders capable of contesting and winning elections.
