Nigeria has reiterated its determination to ensure the timely establishment of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute in Abuja, with President Bola Tinubu approving the release of funds for the project.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a meeting with UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Dr Tawfik Jelassi, in Paris.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of President Tinubu’s state visit to France.
Minister Idris expressed Nigeria’s gratitude for being granted hosting rights for the Category 2 MIL Institute, the first of its kind globally, and highlighted the government’s commitment to its swift operationalisation.
He noted that the institute’s launch comes at a critical time, given global concerns over misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
Dr Jelassi praised Nigeria’s efforts, describing the institute as a vital step in combating online threats while promoting critical thinking, freedom of expression, and platform transparency.
He also briefed the Minister on UNESCO’s MIL Cities initiative, which aims to integrate media literacy into urban systems and cultural activities worldwide.
Minister Idris welcomed the initiative, pledging that Nigeria would present a city to join the inaugural list of MIL Cities.
Discussions also covered UNESCO’s 2023 Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms. Dr Jelassi presented a copy to the Minister, who assured Nigeria’s commitment to adapting the guidelines to ensure a safer internet environment.
The meeting at UNESCO Headquarters was attended by Nigeria’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Dr Hajo Sani.
