FG Warns Against Fake Narratives, Urges Nigerians to Defend National Unity

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has urged Nigerians to unite against the rising wave of fake news, misinformation, and foreign-sponsored narratives aimed at undermining the country’s unity and reputation.

The minister made the call when a delegation from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, on Wednesday, Idris warned that unchecked misinformation could tear nations apart, stressing the need for collective effort in defending the truth about Nigeria.

“Nigerians should join hands collectively to stop fake narratives about our country,” he said.

“We all have a responsibility to project the truth and Nigeria’s image. Misinformation has the capacity to divide nations, and we must not allow that to happen to ours.”

The minister reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to advancing media and information literacy as a tool for promoting national unity, truth, and civic enlightenment.

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Idris commended NOUN for its excellence in open and distance learning and for hosting the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), a project supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

He revealed that Nigeria’s efforts to establish IMILI will receive international validation at the UNESCO General Conference scheduled for November 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

“IMILI is not just an educational initiative but a strategic national investment in truth, literacy, and civic enlightenment,” he said.

“That is why my ministry is working with NOUN, UNESCO, and the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure Nigeria’s successful ratification and recognition of IMILI at the UNESCO General Conference.”

The minister explained that the IMILI project will promote responsible media practices and strengthen Nigeria’s leadership in information integrity and literacy across Africa.

“The establishment of IMILI aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which upholds integrity, accountability, and public enlightenment,” he added.

In his remarks, NOUN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, thanked the Ministry of Information and the Federal Government for their support, including the ₦250 million grant provided to facilitate the institute’s development.

He assured that NOUN is fully ready for the global accreditation of IMILI as a UNESCO Category Two Institute, which would position Nigeria as a key player in global media education.

“NOUN is fully prepared for the global accreditation of IMILI as a UNESCO Category Two Institute. This recognition will further enhance Nigeria’s reputation in education and media literacy,” he said.

Peters also highlighted NOUN’s capacity to sustain the institute through its digital infrastructure and academic expertise, assuring that the university had already put structures in place to guarantee IMILI’s autonomy and international relevance.

“The Institute has the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s leadership in global media education, and NOUN is proud to host it,” he added.

The Federal Government’s collaboration with NOUN and UNESCO is part of a broader initiative to combat fake news, strengthen digital literacy, and promote responsible information sharing across the country.

Officials say the IMILI project will also serve as a training hub for journalists, students, and civil society leaders, equipping them with the skills to identify and counter misinformation.