By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Abuja, Nigeria, Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – Nigeria has officially been designated as the host of UNESCO’s first-ever Category-2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute, the first of its kind in the world. The announcement was made during UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference of the Communication and Information Commission in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
This historic milestone positions Nigeria as a global hub in the fight against misinformation and disinformation, empowering the country to spearhead international research, policy dialogue, and capacity-building in a critical 21st-century digital field.
Addressing the conference, Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, hailed the designation as “a strong vote of confidence in our nation.” He emphasized that the institute will serve as an international observatory and hub, enabling individuals and communities worldwide to navigate the digital age with discernment and confidence.
Minister Idris highlighted that the achievement crowns a journey that began in October 2022 when Nigeria hosted the 10th Global Media and Information Literacy Conference in Abuja. At the conference, Nigeria had promised to establish a UNESCO International Media and Information Literacy Institute.
He added, “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. A central pillar of our strategy is the democratization of digital opportunities, with media and information literacy as the key driver.” Idris also congratulated President Tinubu, saying the achievement reflects his commitment to the Nigerian project as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda. The Institute is expected to formally launch in Abuja in February 2026, with UNESCO officials, member states, and strategic partners in attendance.
Among the Nigerian delegation present at the UNESCO conference were Senator Engr. Kenneth Eze, Honourable Olusola Fatoba, Dr Mohammed Bulama of the FRCN, Malam Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos of the NTA, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo of ARCON, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace of VON, and Ambassador Dr Hajo San.
The announcement was confirmed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation.
