Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, has announced that Nigeria has been approved as the host of UNESCO’s first Category-2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute.
Idris made the announcement in a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, his special assistant (Media), on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the statement, “At its 43rd General Conference of the Communication and Information Commission (CI Session) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) formally approved the designation of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja, Nigeria, as a UNESCO Category-2 Institute, the first of its kind in the world.
“With this approval, Nigeria is positioned to lead in the fight against misinformation and disinformation, enabling it to drive international research, policy dialogue, and capacity-building in a critical digital field.”
In his address to the UNESCO conference, Idris said the decision is “a strong vote of confidence in our nation.”
He emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to this responsibility, noting that the institute will serve as an international observatory and hub to help individuals and communities worldwide navigate the digital age with discernment.
“The Nigerian government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to fostering a society where responsible free speech supports national progress,” Idris said. “A central pillar of our strategy is the democratization of digital opportunities, with media and information literacy as the key driver.”
According to the minister, this achievement follows a journey that began in October 2022, when Nigeria hosted the 10th Global Media and Information Literacy Conference in Abuja and pledged to establish a UNESCO International Media and Information Literacy Institute in the country.
“I want to congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on this achievement, which reflects his commitment to the Nigerian project under the Renewed Hope Agenda. This is a significant achievement for Nigerians and Africa,” Idris said.
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He pledged that the government will continue collaborating with UNESCO to meet the institute’s infrastructure needs and strengthen its governance by assembling a multidisciplinary team of experts to fulfill its global mandate.
The formal launch of the Institute is expected in February 2026 in Abuja, with UNESCO officials, member states, and strategic partners in attendance.
Nigerian officials present at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference included the Senate Committee Chairman on Information and National Orientation, Senator Kenneth Eze; the House Committee on Information, National Ethics, and Values, Honourable Olusola Fatoba; the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama; the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Malam Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos; the Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo; the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace; and the Nigerian Ambassador to UNESCO, Dr. Hajo San, among others.
