Nigeria has secured global recognition as the host of UNESCO’s first-ever Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, following approval at the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO’s Communication and Information Commission (CI Session) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The institute, to be based in Abuja, will serve as a global hub for research, policy dialogue, and capacity building in media and information literacy — a key tool in combating misinformation and disinformation in the digital age.
Announcing the development, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the approval as “a strong vote of confidence in our nation,” emphasizing that it positions Nigeria as a global leader in promoting responsible communication and digital literacy.
“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 said. “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 was the culmination of a journey that began in October 2022, when Nigeria hosted the 10th Global Media and Information Literacy Week and pledged to establish a UNESCO-affiliated institute to advance the cause.
Idris congratulated President Tinubu for what he called “a reflection of his commitment to the Nigerian project under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” describing the development as “a big win for Nigeria and the African continent.”
He also revealed that the formal launch of the institute is scheduled for February 2026 in Abuja, with participation from UNESCO officials, member states, and international partners.
The Nigerian government, he added, will continue to collaborate with UNESCO to meet the institute’s infrastructure needs and assemble a multidisciplinary team of experts to ensure its global impact.
