The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, has announced that Nigeria has secured the support of seven nations and commitments from 20 others in its bid to host the UNESCO Category II Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute.
Addressing a UNESCO delegation assessing Nigeria’s readiness yesterday in Abuja, Idris expressed optimism that Nigeria would secure final approval to host the institute within the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) premises.
“Already, we have the support of about seven sister nations. About twenty have also indicated their desire to support Nigeria. At the next UNESCO Board meeting, we are confident Nigeria will secure the hosting right for the MIL Institute,” Idris stated.
The minister emphasised that the institute would serve as a global hub for combating misinformation, fake news, and disinformation.
“This initiative is not just for Nigeria but for Africa and the world. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate our expertise and commitment to media and information literacy on a global scale,” he said.
Idris highlighted that, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval, funding for the project has been secured.
He also noted collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure the project’s successful implementation.
The minister reassured that addressing fake news does not equate to restricting press freedom. “Press freedom is critical for democracy, but freedom must also come with responsibility. Freedom ends where another’s rights begin,” he added.
For his part, Nelson Papi Kolliesuah, project manager of Data-Pop Alliance, an independent verification firm engaged by UNESCO, praised Nigeria’s preparations.
He confirmed that the necessary infrastructure and governance align with global standards and Nigeria’s educational system, reinforcing confidence in Nigeria’s readiness.
Once approved, the institute is expected to play a vital role in fostering media literacy and addressing global challenges posed by disinformation.
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