Nigeria has been officially designated as the host country for the World’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute for Media and Information Literacy (MIL).
This is a landmark decision that positions the nation as a global leader in combating misinformation.
The approval was granted on Wednesday, during the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO’s Communication and Information Commission in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Mallam Rabiu Ibrahim, the Special Assistant Media to the Minister said; “the new International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja will serve as a global hub, spearheading international research, policy dialogue, and capacity-building programmes.”
Its mandate is to empower citizens worldwide with the critical skills needed to navigate the digital landscape effectively.
Addressing the UNESCO conference, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris hailed the decision as “a strong vote of confidence in our nation.”
“The Nigerian government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to fostering a society where responsible free speech is seen as the engine of national progress,” Minister stated.
He said; “A central pillar of our strategy is the democratisation of digital opportunities, with media and information literacy as the key driver.”
Idris affirmed that the institute would function as an international observatory, enabling communities globally to engage with digital content with greater discernment and confidence.
He said that “this achievement crowns a long-term effort that began in October 2022 when Nigeria hosted the 10th Global Media and Information Literacy Conference and first pledged to establish the institute.”
“I want to seize this opportunity to congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on this achievement, which is a reflection of his commitment to the Nigerian project aptly encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is equally a big win for all Nigerians and the continent of Africa,” Idris said.
The Minister pledged the government’s continued collaboration with UNESCO to meet the institute’s infrastructure and governance needs, noting that a formal launch ceremony is scheduled for February 2026 in Abuja.
The event is expected to be graced by UNESCO officials, member states, and strategic partners.
The Nigerian delegation present at the UNESCO conference to witness the historic designation included the Senate Committee Chairman on Information and National Orientation, Senator Kenneth Eze; and the House Committee Chairman on Information, National, Ethics and Values, Olusola Fatoba.
Others are; the Director Generals of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and the Voice of Nigeria (VON).
Mercy Chukwudiebere