In today’s digital landscape, the social media has become an essential tool for corporate communication, offering unparalleled opportunities for direct engagement, brand building, and reputation management.
The Social Media Manager of the University of Ilorin, Mr Lukman Temitope Omoniyi, made this submission penultimate Thursday (June 12, 2025) while delivering a lecture at the Virtual Monthly Meeting and PR Clinic of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kwara State Chapter.
In his Lecture, titled “Leveraging Social Media for Effective Corporate Communication”, Mr Omoniyi noted that corporate organisations can no longer afford to overlook the potential of social media in building strong relationships with stakeholders and achieving their corporate objectives.
Sharing his experience since his assumption as Social Media Manager in 2023, Mr Omoniyi said it was very important for organisations to prioritise engagement and responsiveness, adding that “social media is about conversation. Respond promptly and thoughtfully to comments, messages, and mentions. Acknowledge feedback, address complaints professionally, and thank followers for their support.”
Mr Omoniyi hinted that choosing the right platforms, maintaining a consistent brand voice, and robust content strategy as some of the ways to achieve effective use of social media for corporate communication.
According to him, “Not all social media platforms are created equal. Select platforms that align with your objectives and where your target audience is most active. LinkedIn is ideal for professional networking, while X, formerly known as Twitter, excels for real-time news and
public discourse.”
He further stated that “social media should not operate in a silo. Integrate it with your website, email marketing, public relations efforts, and traditional media for a cohesive and impactful communication strategy. We have been able to achieve that at the University of Ilorin and we will continue to improve on our approach.”
Mr Omoniyi, pointed out that embracing a strategic and proactive approach to social media, businesses can harness its power to foster strong relationships with stakeholders, navigate challenges, and achieve corporate objectives in the digital age.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Kwara State Chapter of NIPR, Mr Gabriel Ogunade. expressed the Institute’s dedication to providing professional development opportunities for its members through regular clinics, ensuring they remain up-to-date with industry developments.
Mr Omoniyi’s commitment to using social media as a corporate communication tool is already yielding results, with the University receiving its well-deserved recognition at the 2025 National Spokespersons Awards in Abuja. In April, the University of Ilorin won the Best Corporate Share of Voice (Social Media) award, confirming the University’s commitment to engaging with its community. Additionally, Mr Omoniyi was a finalist in the Outstanding Spokesperson (Education Sector) category of the award.
The training session was attended by members of the Institute including the Station Manager of UNILORIN 89.3 FM, Mr Idris Akintola Ibrahim (Alooma), and an Assistant Director (Information & Protocol), Mr Oluwasegun Alabi, who coordinates the New Media Team, among others.
