Agenda Setting and Elite Consensus Building for National Development in Nigeria

Society is confronted with numerous issues and challenges on a daily basis, many of which remain unnoticed by policymakers due to limited media attention. The agenda-setting process plays a crucial role in determining which issues gain visibility in public discourse, as gatekeepers selectively filter information into international, national, regional, and local agendas. Within the field of Political Science, particularly Public Policy Analysis, agenda setting is a vital stage of the policy process. It shapes the prioritization of issues and guides the allocation of resources, forming the foundation for policy formulation and implementation. This paper explores the concept of agenda setting, highlighting its significance in the policy formulation process and its impact on government decision-making.