Mediating Effect of Stakeholder Trust on the Relationship Between Transparent Communication and Project Outcomes in Nigerian NGOs

Stakeholder trust may mediate the relationship between project communication transparency and outcomes in NGO project contexts, yet this theoretical pathway has not been empirically tested in Nigeria. This study examines stakeholder trust as a mediator between transparent communication and project outcomes in NGOs operating in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey will recruit 240 project beneficiaries, community leaders, donor representatives, and NGO project managers from 20 NGOs across the South South, North Central, and South West zones. Communication transparency will be assessed through validated items on information disclosure, feedback mechanisms, and accountability reporting. Stakeholder trust will be measured using the Stakeholder Trust Scale (STS), and project outcomes will be rated by beneficiaries and donors. PLS-SEM mediation analysis will test the theoretical model. Nigerian NGO project research has documented the critical role of trust in community acceptance but has not modeled trust as a formal mediating mechanism. This study generates theoretical and practical contributions for NGO project communication strategy in Nigeria. Keywords: stakeholder trust, transparent communication, NGO, project outcomes, mediation