Nigeria secures endorsement of seven countries for UNESCO media institute

Nigeria has taken a significant step towards hosting the UNESCO Category II Media and Information Literacy Institute, with the endorsement of seven countries and commitments from 20 others.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris, announced this on Tuesday, expressing delight at the positive feedback from the UNESCO inspection team regarding Nigeria’s preparedness.

“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,” Idris said.

The minister noted that the institute is designed not just for Nigeria, but for the world, and presents an opportunity for the country to showcase its expertise and commitment to MIL globally.

With the approval of President Bola Tinubu, all necessary funding for the establishment of the Institute has been secured.

The information ministry is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure the project’s successful implementation, according to Idris.

Idris highlighted the importance of Media and Information Literacy in combating fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, which pose significant threats to global peace and security.

“Fake news, misinformation, and disinformation are not just Nigeria’s problem. It’s a global problem, and we take note of the effort that UNESCO has been making to combat that,” Idris said.

He called for a global alliance to combat fake news and disinformation, emphasizing that the impact of fake news transcends national borders.

The minister clarified that combating fake news does not equate to stifling press freedom, reaffirming the Tinubu administration’s commitment to upholding freedom of expression.