Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
Samarkand, Uzbekistan — November 5, 2025: Nigeria has achieved a historic milestone as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially approved the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMLI) in Abuja as a Category 2 Institute — the first of its kind in the world.
The landmark approval was announced during the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO’s Communication and Information Commission (CI Session) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. With this development, Nigeria takes the lead in global efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation while advancing research, policy dialogue, and capacity-building in the digital information space.
In his remarks to 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,” Idris stated.
“A central pillar of our strategy is the democratization of digital opportunities, with media and information literacy as the key driver.”
The Minister noted that the achievement reflects Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to promoting information literacy and digital responsibility. He recalled that the journey began in October 2022, when Nigeria hosted the 10th Global Media and Information Literacy and Feature Conference in Abuja and pledged to establish a UNESCO-affiliated institute in the country.
Idris congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the accomplishment, describing it as “a reflection of his dedication to the Nigerian project as outlined in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“This is a big win for Nigeria and indeed for the entire African continent,” he said.
The Minister pledged continued collaboration with UNESCO to develop the institute’s infrastructure, governance structure, and technical capacity. He also revealed that the formal launch of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute is scheduled for February 2026 in Abuja, with attendance expected from UNESCO officials, member states, and international partners.
The Nigerian delegation at the UNESCO conference included:
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Senator Engr. Kenneth Eze, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation
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Honourable Olusola Fatoba, Chairman, House Committee on Information, National Ethics, and Values
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Dr. Mohammed Bulama, Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), who represented the Minister
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Malam Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos, Director General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)
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Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director General, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON)
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Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON)
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Dr. Hajo Sani, Nigeria’s Ambassador to UNESCO
The UNESCO approval solidifies Nigeria’s position as a global leader in digital literacy advocacy, empowering the nation to shape international strategies for ethical media use, fact-checking, and critical thinking in the digital era.
Photo Caption:
L–R: Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo (ARCON DG); Dr. Mohammed Bulama (FRCN DG); Senator Engr. Kenneth Eze (Senate Committee Chair on Information); Dr. Hajo Sani (Nigeria’s Ambassador to UNESCO); Honourable Olusola Fatoba (House Committee Chair on Information, National Ethics, and Values); Malam Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos (NTA DG); and Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace (VON DG), during the 43rd UNESCO General Conference (Communication and Information Commission Session) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
📸 Photo Credit: Khalid Ahmed
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