The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has urged Nigerians to join forces against false narratives and misinformation that threaten the nation’s unity. During a recent visit by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) delegation, led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, the minister emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in promoting truth and protecting Nigeria’s image.
According to the minister, misinformation has the potential to divide nations, and it is essential for Nigerians to work together to prevent this. “We all have a responsibility to project the truth and Nigeria’s image,” Idris stressed. The Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, is committed to advancing media and information literacy as a tool for promoting unity, national development, and truth.
The minister praised NOUN for its excellence in promoting open distance learning and its commitment to hosting the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI). The certification for IMILI is scheduled to take place in November 2025 at the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. IMILI aims to promote responsible media practices, strengthen Nigeria’s global standing in information literacy, and position the country as a leading voice in information integrity.
NOUN’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Peters, expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation for entrusting the university with the responsibility of 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. Peters pledged NOUN’s full commitment to the success and international recognition of IMILI, highlighting the university’s institutional capacity, digital infrastructure, and academic expertise to sustain the Institute.
The establishment of IMILI aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes integrity, accountability, and public enlightenment. As Nigeria works towards ratification and recognition of IMILI at the UNESCO General Conference, the country’s reputation in education and media literacy is expected to receive a significant boost.
