Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has reaffirmed the pivotal role of independent broadcasters in strengthening the country’s information security, national unity and digital resilience.
Represented by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, at the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) 2025 Annual General Meeting and Conference, the Minister commended the association for selecting a theme that closely aligns with Nigeria’s strategic national interests.
The conference, themed “Broadcasting for Information Sovereignty, National Cohesion and Digital Security”, was described as both timely and crucial for Nigeria’s future.
The minister emphasised that the media sector occupies a frontline position in shaping Nigeria’s image and defending its digital space. He noted that information sovereignty has become the modern equivalent of territorial protection, stressing the importance of retaining control over how Nigeria’s stories are told.
He praised broadcasters for investing in high-quality, locally produced content, highlighting that such efforts reinforce national identity and counter foreign disinformation. “You are the vanguards of our national story,” he declared.
Addressing national cohesion, the minister highlighted the power of broadcast platforms in a country as diverse as Nigeria. With over 230 million citizens, he described the media as holding a “sacred trust” to use its influence responsibly, promoting unity rather than division. Broadcasters were urged to amplify shared values, common challenges and collective aspirations to strengthen the internal stability that underpins Nigeria’s global standing.
On digital security, he cautioned that the same technologies enabling widespread content dissemination also expose the nation to cyber threats and foreign influence operations. He underscored the need for secure platforms and responsible information management, framing these as matters of national security rather than mere corporate concern.
The minister stressed that Nigeria’s image and diplomatic influence on the world stage depend on the narratives built and sustained at home. “The narrative you build at home is the narrative we project abroad, urging independent broadcasters to continue serving as vital partners in nation-building,” he stated.
He concluded by calling for deeper collaboration between the government and the broadcasting industry to protect Nigeria’s information ecosystem, promote unity, and strengthen the country’s digital resilience in an era of widespread misinformation.