The Minister of Info and Nationwide Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has unveiled a complete plan to fight misinformation and improve grassroots communication as a part of efforts to strengthen inclusive governance in Nigeria.
Talking on the forty eighth Nationwide Council of Info and Nationwide Orientation in Kaduna on Friday, Idris highlighted the transformative potential of correct, clear, and accessible public data.
Central to the Minister’s handle was the pressing must counter the rising menace of pretend information, which he described as a big problem to governance and public belief.
To sort out this problem, he introduced the quick operationalisation of the UNESCO Media and Info Literacy Institute in Abuja. The institute, the primary of its form globally, will equip Nigerians with instruments to establish credible data and resist the affect of misinformation.
“In an period the place faux information, propaganda, and biased reporting can considerably affect public opinion and decision-making, media literacy fosters important pondering.
“It helps people analyse the intent behind media messages, perceive the context wherein they’re introduced, and assess their accuracy and relevance.
“I subsequently urge the Commissioners for Info to make the most of this essential institute, as soon as it takes off, to additional construct the capability of our employees in combating the menace of pretend information, misinformation, and disinformation,” Idris mentioned.
The minister additionally confused the significance of grassroots communication, advocating for using native languages, group radio stations, and city corridor conferences to make sure authorities insurance policies attain even probably the most distant areas.
He famous ongoing efforts by the Federal Info Centres to prioritise group engagement and foster inclusivity.
“Info administration should transcend city centres to achieve the remotest communities. Native languages, city corridor conferences, and group radio stations ought to play pivotal roles in making certain inclusivity.
“To this finish, and in recognition of the varied nature of our nation, the Federal Ministry of Info and Nationwide Orientation, by the Federal Info Centres, has prioritised grassroots engagement by city corridor conferences, group outreach programmes, and collaboration with native stakeholders to make sure that authorities insurance policies resonate with residents in any respect ranges,” he acknowledged.
Idris additionally referred to as for a modernisation of public data programs by the adoption of digital instruments and synthetic intelligence, which he mentioned would improve the velocity, accuracy, and attain of presidency messaging.
He confused that public communication should evolve to fulfill the dynamic wants of the digital age.
In a passionate attraction, the minister urged state governments to protect and strengthen their Ministries of Info, which he described as important to bridging the hole between authorities insurance policies and residents.
“These ministries are indispensable in combating misinformation, fostering nationwide unity, and driving societal progress,” he acknowledged.
Idris’s technique aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises transparency, inclusivity, and people-centred governance.
He expressed confidence that these measures would place public data administration as a cornerstone of nationwide improvement and democracy.