FG: Nigeria’s Bid for UNESCO Media Institute Has Seven Nations’ Backing

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has disclosed that Nigeria has garnered the support of seven nations and received commitments from an additional 20 countries for the establishment of the UNESCO Category II Media and Information Literacy Institute.

He disclosed this yesterday at a meeting with a UNESCO delegation currently in Nigeria to evaluate the country’s readiness to host the Institute.

“Already, we have had the support from about seven sister nations. About twenty have already indicated their desire to support Nigeria and we know that at the next sitting of the UNESCO Board, Nigeria will be given the final hosting right of the MIL in Abuja, within the premises of the National Open University of Nigeria,” he stated.

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the favorable feedback received from the inspection team regarding Nigeria’s preparedness and reiterated the nation’s commitment to fulfilling all UNESCO requirements for the establishment of the Institute.

“Since Nigeria was given provisional hosting right, we have been working hard and we, sometime last year, reached out to the National Open University and made them understand the relevance of this not just to Nigeria but also Africa and the world generally.

“Media and Information Literacy Institute is not just designed for the people of Nigeria; it’s designed for the people of the world and this is an opportunity for our country to show not just our expertise and professionalism but also our commitment to MIL, globally,” he remarked. He noted that, with the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all necessary funding for the establishment of the Institute had been secured.

He added that his ministry was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the project.

 Idris underscored the importance of Media and Information Literacy as a vital tool in the fight against misinformation.

“Fake news, misinformation, and disinformation are not solely issues faced by Nigeria; they represent a challenge on a global scale. We acknowledge the efforts made by UNESCO to address this concern, and we recognise that Nigeria is also affected by this issue,” he stated. The Minister advocated for a worldwide coalition to tackle the spread of fake news and disinformation, highlighting that the repercussions of such misinformation extend beyond national boundaries. Idris emphasised that the fight against fake news should not be misconstrued as an infringement on press freedom, reaffirming the Tinubu administration’s dedication to preserving freedom of expression.

“For society to be free and democracy to thrive, press freedom is critical but for us to have freedom, we must also have responsibility.

“You cannot have press freedom just like that. Your freedom must end where someone’s rights begin,” he said.

In his address, Mr. Nelson Papi Kolliesuah, the Project Manager of Data-Pop Alliance—an organisation commissioned by UNESCO for independent verification—indicated that they are in Nigeria to ensure the establishment of the necessary infrastructure, capacity, and governance framework for the institute.