President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday officially launched the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), the first UNESCO Category 2 institute in the world dedicated to media and information literacy.
The launch ceremony took place at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
President Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, described the event as a milestone for Nigeria, Africa, and the global community in efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation and promote responsible communication.
“This is a historic moment, not only for Nigeria and Africa, but for the global community. Today, we open the first UNESCO Category 2 Institute for Media and Information Literacy anywhere in the world, at a time when the need for it has never been greater,” the President said.
According to a statement issued by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the President traced the institute’s establishment to Nigeria’s commitment after hosting the 10th Global Media and Information Literacy Week in 2022. He noted that all 194 UNESCO Member States unanimously endorsed the creation of IMILI at the 43rd General Conference in Samarkand.
President Tinubu underscored the urgency of media and information literacy as a tool for responsible information use, stating: “Misinformation spreads rapidly. Disinformation is used to divide communities and weaken institutions. Hate speech fuels conflict. The line between fact and falsehood is increasingly blurred, often deliberately. These are global challenges that affect every society. This is why IMILI is not optional; it is essential.”
He outlined federal government support for IMILI, including funding, institutional backing through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), and collaboration with UNESCO on legal and operational frameworks.
In his welcome address, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said IMILI is a testament to Nigeria’s readiness to lead in promoting informed citizenship and safeguarding information integrity. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the institute’s autonomy, sustainability, and global excellence.
“The establishment of IMILI positions Nigeria at the forefront of global efforts to build resilient knowledge systems, foster critical engagement with the digital environment, and advance freedom of expression and access to information,” Idris said. “IMILI will serve as a global hub for research, capacity building, and policy dialogue, welcoming educators, journalists, policymakers, and young leaders from around the world.”
Dignitaries at the event included Minister of State for Education Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmed; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation Dr. Binyerem Ukaire; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO Dr. Hajo Sani; Vice Chancellor of NOUN Professor Uduma O. Uduma; UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative Elsie Atafuah; UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Mariya Gabriel; IMILI Nigeria Director Dr. Sharon Omotoso; and President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku.
