Nigeria has secured global recognition as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has 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 approval was granted during the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO’s Communication and Information Commission (CI Session) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. With this milestone, Nigeria is set to play a leading role in advancing global research, policy dialogue, and capacity-building in media and information literacy, particularly in combating misinformation and disinformation.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the development as “a strong vote of confidence in our nation,” emphasizing that Nigeria remains fully committed to its new global responsibility.
He noted that the Institute will serve as an international observatory and hub, helping individuals and communities across the world navigate the digital landscape with discernment and confidence. “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.
The Minister further explained that Nigeria’s journey toward the establishment of the Institute began in October 2022, when the country hosted the 10th Global Media and Information Literacy and Feature Conference in Abuja and pledged to UNESCO its readiness to create such an institute.
“I want to seize this opportunity to congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on this achievement, which reflects his commitment to the Nigerian project aptly encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda. This is equally a big win for all Nigerians and the continent of Africa,” Idris added.
He assured that the government will continue to collaborate with UNESCO to provide the Institute’s infrastructure and governance framework by assembling a multidisciplinary team of experts to deliver on its global mandate.
According to Idris, the formal launch of the Institute will be held in Abuja in February 2026, with attendance expected from UNESCO officials, member states, and strategic partners.
Among Nigerian officials who witnessed the designation of IMLI as a UNESCO Category-2 Institute were Senate Committee Chairman on Information and National Orientation, Senator Kenneth Eze; House Committee Chairman on Information, National Ethics and Values, Olusola Fatoba; Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Mohammed Bulama; Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Abdulhamid Salihu Dembos; Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr Olalekan Fadolapo; Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace; and Nigeria’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Dr Hajo San.
The announcement further cements Nigeria’s leadership in promoting media and information literacy as a key tool for democratic participation, digital inclusion, and global understanding.
