The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has called on Nigerians to unite against false narratives, contrived misinformation, and foreign interests aimed at undermining national unity.
Idris made the appeal when a delegation from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, visited him.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Minister’s Personal Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, on Wednesday in Abuja.
“Nigerians should join hands collectively to stop fake narratives about our country. We all have a responsibility to project the truth and Nigeria’s image. Misinformation has the capacity to divide nations, and we must not allow that to happen to ours. Nigeria and the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu are committed to advancing media and information literacy as a tool for promoting truth, unity, and national development,” Idris said.
The minister emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in addressing the spread of fake news and misinformation, noting that false narratives have far-reaching consequences on national unity, peace, and the country’s image.
He commended NOUN for its excellence in promoting open and distance learning and for hosting the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI). He added that certification for IMILI would take place in November 2025 at the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
“IMILI is not only an educational initiative, but also a strategic national investment in truth, literacy, and civic enlightenment. That is why my Ministry is committed to working with NOUN, UNESCO, and the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure Nigeria’s successful ratification and recognition of IMILI at the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand,” he said.
“The objective of IMILI is to promote responsible media practices and strengthen Nigeria’s global standing in information literacy as a leading voice in information integrity. The establishment of IMILI positions Nigeria as a leading voice in media and information literacy across Africa, aligning with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes integrity, accountability, and public enlightenment,” Idris added.
Prof. Peters expressed NOUN’s gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation for entrusting it with hosting IMILI.
He acknowledged the Minister’s support and the Federal Government’s provision of a ₦250 million grant to facilitate the Institute’s development.
“NOUN is fully prepared for the global accreditation of IMILI as a UNESCO Category Two Institute, and this recognition will further enhance Nigeria’s reputation in education and media literacy,” Peters said, pledging the University’s full commitment to the Institute’s success and international recognition.
He also guaranteed NOUN’s institutional capacity, digital infrastructure, and academic expertise to sustain the Institute, with structures already in place to ensure its autonomy and international relevance.
(NAN)