Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the launch of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) will tackle misinformation, disinformation in Nigeria.
Speaking at the official launch of IMILI, the world’s first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Category 2 Institute dedicated to Media and Information Literacy, on Wednesday in Abuja, Idris it as an institute of global relevance.
“Today (Wednesday) is a moment of pride not just for Nigeria, but for Africa and the global community.
“On our soil now stands an institute of global relevance, positioned to confront one of the most pressing challenges of our time – misinformation and disinformation.
“This achievement reflects a deliberate and rigorous process. It was earned through sustained effort, commitment, and competition, and it speaks to Nigeria’s readiness to lead in this critical area,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria stands at the intersection of technology, knowledge and democracy.
“By hosting the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated to Media and Information Literacy, we are affirming our leadership in promoting informed citizenship, strengthening democratic discourse, and advancing global efforts to safeguard information integrity.
“We are honoured by the trust you have placed in Nigeria to host this one-of-a-kind institute.
“Your confidence reaffirms our country’s growing stature as a leader in driving global knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives in Africa and beyond.
“For the record, this is also the first UNESCO Category 2 Institute in Nigeria’s Information and Communication sector, thus underscoring our determination, as an administration, to change the communication landscape better than we met it,” he said.
The minister said that the establishment of IMILI was both a national milestone and a global necessity.
He explained that the country is establishing a sustainable governance framework that meets all UNESCO standards.
“IMILI will operate independently, professionally, and transparently, guided by international best practices and accountable to its mission to advance freedom of expression, access to information, and media integrity,” the minister said.
Speaking after assessing the institute’s facilities at the National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Ms. Mariya Gabriel, Assistant Director-General, Communication and Information, UNESCO, said that she was impressed with the facilities put in place.
Gabriel said, “My impression is first that the key milestone was achieved. We have a very strong foundation to unlock the full potential of Nigeria, leading in the media information literacy.
“What I already have seen, that here collaborative research, multi-stakeholder approach and working with all the entire ecosystem of the information integrity is something that has a very solid foundation.
“So, now what we need is to stay very pragmatic, to offer training to educators, to work with civil servants, teachers, media and to see how in a very concrete case we can offer solutions,” she said.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Dr Hajo Sani, said with the launch of the institute, Nigeria has demonstrated to the world its capacity to advance media and information literacy.
Sani recalled that Nigeria started the concept in 2022, expressing happiness over the reality on the ground.
“Practically coming to this centre, we have seen that really the structure is on the ground and it’s just for the take-off now.
“We are very happy that we are showing the world that Nigeria has the ability, has the capability to push forward the media and information literacy
“At higher level and international level, it’s not just for Nigeria, Africa, it’s for the global, being the first global institute to be established, and we are happy Nigeria is hosting it,” she said.
In her remarks, the Director of IMILI, Dr Sharon Omotosho, expressed the institute’s readiness to address the situation around misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and all the challenges of artificial intelligence and the digital platforms.
“We are grateful that Nigeria has taken the first step, of lighting a candle in the midst of the darkness, so we are not worried about the situation.
“But we are willing to address the situation around misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and all the challenges that come with the use of artificial intelligence and the digital platforms.
“So the International Media and Information Literacy Institute is set to ensure that it provides all the services like training, advocacy support, research, policy support, and others as may be required across sectors,” she added.
GIK/APA