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5 days ago
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Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris
Nigeria has secured the endorsement of seven countries and commitments from 20 others for the establishment of a UNESCO Category II Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Tuesday during a meeting with a UNESCO delegation in Nigeria.
Idris, in a statement signed by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, revealed that the proposed Institute will be housed on the premises of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He expressed optimism that the country will secure the final hosting rights at the next session of the UNESCO Board.
“Already, we have the support of about seven sister nations. Around 20 others have indicated their desire to support Nigeria, and we are confident that at the next sitting of the UNESCO Board, Nigeria will be granted the final hosting rights for the MIL Institute in Abuja, within the premises of the National Open University of Nigeria,” he said.
The minister emphasised the importance of the Institute, describing it as a global asset designed not only for Nigeria but also for Africa and the wider world.
He noted that since receiving provisional hosting rights, significant efforts had been made to meet UNESCO’s requirements, with NOUN playing a crucial role in the preparations.
“Since Nigeria was granted provisional hosting rights, we have been working diligently. Last year, we engaged with the National Open University and highlighted the relevance of this project not only to Nigeria but also to Africa and the global community.
“The Media and Information Literacy Institute is not just for the people of Nigeria; it is designed for the global community. This is an opportunity for our country to demonstrate our expertise, professionalism, and commitment to MIL on a global scale,” he added.
Idris revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the necessary funding for the project. He stated that his ministry was collaborating closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the initiative’s successful implementation.
He highlighted the critical role of media literacy in combating the global challenges of fake news and misinformation, which he described as threats to peace and security. He also called for a global alliance to tackle these issues, while underscoring the importance of balancing press freedom with responsibility.
“For society to be free and for democracy to thrive, press freedom is essential. However, freedom must come with responsibility. Your freedom must end where someone else’s rights begin,” Idris said.
The UNESCO delegation, led by Nelson Kolliesuah, Project Manager of Data-Pop Alliance, expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s level of preparedness. Kolliesuah stated that the team was in the country to verify that the necessary infrastructure, governance structures, and capacity were in place for the Institute.
