The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the security and information environment necessary for peaceful, credible and transparent elections in 2027.
The minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 8th Public Lecture, Impact Series and Awards of Excellence organised by Blueprint Newspapers Limited.
The event was themed “Security Challenges and Integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 Elections.”
Idris commended Blueprint Newspapers for sustaining the annual platform, describing it as an important avenue for policymakers, professionals, academics, the media and other stakeholders to engage on issues of national importance.
He said the theme was timely, noting that the integrity of elections is shaped not only on election day but also by the security environment, the credibility of institutions, the conduct of political actors, the professionalism of the media and the quality of information available to citizens.
“For the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the security and welfare of Nigerians remain fundamental responsibilities of government,” the minister said.
He added that the Federal Government would continue to mobilise the resources, personnel and technology required to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other threats to the safety of Nigerians.
The minister also highlighted the growing threat posed by misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the rapid development of artificial intelligence, which has made it increasingly possible to create convincing but fabricated audio, video and images.
“Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are deliberately misled,” Idris said.
He noted that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in partnership with UNESCO and other stakeholders, had established the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja to strengthen media and information literacy.
The Managing Director/CEO of Blueprint Newspapers Limited, Salisu Umar, said the annual lecture, which began in 2018, was established to provide a platform for discussing issues of national interest beyond the traditional newspaper space.
He added that it was also aimed at recognising Nigerians who had demonstrated exemplary leadership and impact.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari, said insecurity should not be treated as the responsibility of security agencies alone.
Yari, a former Governor of Zamfara State and Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial District, emphasised that political leaders, communities, citizens and other stakeholders must play their part.
Drawing from his experience in government, he said the challenge of insecurity had persisted across successive administrations and electoral cycles, and warned against politicising the issue.
“The issue of insecurity is not something to be traded with for the purpose of winning the hearts of the citizens,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to collectively confront the challenge and work toward making the country safer for present and future generations.
The Royal Father of the Day, Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar, commended Blueprint Newspapers for its contribution to national discourse and called on Nigerians to remain committed to the unity and development of the country.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Andoma of Doma, Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo, stressed that Nigeria’s challenges should not diminish the nation’s enormous human and intellectual potential.
He said there is no alternative to an indivisible Nigeria and urged Nigerians to take responsibility for building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
