The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasized the urgent need for media and information literacy among public officials, warning that the lack of it leaves them vulnerable to fake news and disinformation.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Second Spokespersons Summit in Abuja—an event co-organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation—Idris said media literacy has become an essential skill in today’s fast-paced information era.
According to the Minister, the age where communication is no longer restricted to professionals has created a scenario where every leader or official essentially functions as a spokesperson.
As such, he stressed that understanding and evaluating media content critically is necessary to avoid falling victim to false narratives.
He called attention to the concept of Media and Information Literacy (MIL), introduced by UNESCO in 2008, as a crucial tool for empowering individuals to assess media messages, identify misinformation, and make sound judgments.
“Due to limited media literacy, many public servants and citizens alike have become susceptible to the dangers of fake news and misleading content,” Idris noted.
He announced plans by the ministry to launch the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Institute—the first of its kind globally—at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja. The Minister disclosed that he had recently met with senior officials at UNESCO headquarters in Paris to discuss the project.
Idris also spoke about the Federal Government’s success in elevating the role of public relations within the civil service.
He explained that Public Relations is now officially recognized as a standalone cadre in the Federal Civil Service, following its reclassification from the previous ‘Information Officer Cadre’ to ‘Information and Public Relations Officer Cadre’ and ‘Executive Officer (Information and Public Relations).’
“This reform is aimed at improving the professionalism and effectiveness of public communication, and we appreciate the role the NIPR played in achieving this milestone,” he added.
Reiterating the Tinubu administration’s stance on free expression, the Minister assured that the government would continue to support a diverse and thriving media sector, while also encouraging responsible communication.
He further commended NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, for introducing an “Information Ministerial Clinic” segment to this year’s summit. The clinic featured former Information Ministers, including Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief John Nwodo, Frank Nweke Jr., Labaran Maku, and Lai Mohammed, who shared their experiences managing complex national communication challenges.
The summit, attended by key communication experts and government representatives, aimed to strengthen the capacity of public spokespersons and promote ethical standards in public relations practice.