The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has launched the first International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), which will run short courses and certificates to fight the scourge of mis/dis information, fake news and hate speech globally.
The institute, backed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is the first-of-its kind globally and it is domiciled at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.
While officially launching the institute on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at the Banquet Hall, State House in Abuja, the president Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described the milestone as “a historical moment not only for Nigeria and Africa but the global community.”
With the theme: Empowering Knowledge Societies Through Media and Information Literacy in the Digital Age, the event drew critical stakeholders in the sector, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and his education counterpart, Dr. Maruf Alausa.
UNESCO Director-General, Khaled El-Enany, the Permanent Secretary of the Information and National Orientation ministry, Dr. Binyerem Chigbowu Ukaire, the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open Uniiversity of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, as well as a host of other stakeholders attended the ceremony.
Speaking on the first day of the 2-day ceremony, the president said “Today, we welcome our first International Media and Information Literacy Institute,” adding that it is the first-of-its kind all over the world, coming at the time when a need for it has never been more urget.
According to him, “the journey began in October 2022 when Nigeria hosted a Global Media, Information and Literacy Week, where an immediate approach was taken concerning this institute. Today, we have fulfilled the promise.
"I commend the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and the Ambassador of the United Nations, Members of the National Assembly delegation and their efforts that nominated Nigeria in November 2025 where 494 UNESCO members came together to endorse IMILI at 43rd General Conference.”
President Tinubu also appreciated the UNESCO leadership for its partnership and confidence in Nigeria, acknowledging that the world is living in the time of an unprecedented access to Information.
Everyday, he said, vast level of misinformation continues to circulate across digital platforms, which admittedly expands interest in knowledge and amplifies the process, yet it has equally posed callenges.
He added that IMILI serves as a global call for research, as it will work for educators, journalists, policy makers, civil society organisations to strengthen, promote dialogue and knowledge-sharing across borders.
The president assured that Nigeria is committed to its success, saying that the federal government has taken concrete steps for funding that will provide institutional support and has been secured by the National Open University of Nigeria here in Abuja.
”We are also committed to ensuring a strong leadership and professionalism from the management of the institute.This interest will reflect on our progress with the Renewed Hope Agenda to build a society where citizens are informed and empowered on how to participate in the National Development.
”We will work with stakeholders across the government and Civil Societies to retain Media Information Literacy into our educational sector from primary schools to higher education with the ability to think and engage responsibly with their contributions,” he said.
He said “for Nigeria, it is a moment of pride. Out of all growing UNESCO member states, Nigeria was chosen to host this global institution because of our multi-related commitment to diversity.”
By its launch, President Tinubu said, IMILI has come to address one of the defined challenges of our time: the risks of malinformation and disinformation. Let us use it to stand on truth as principled people and responsible nation.
On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, noted that IMILI is a UNESCO Category 2 institute based in Abuja, " Today is a moment of pride not just for Nigeria but for Africa and the global village.”
Idris added that IMILI “now stands as an institute of global references, which is to confront one of the most pressing challenges of our time: misinformation and disinformation. This achievement reflects a deliberate and rigorous process.
”Nigeria stands at an intercession of technology, knowledge and democracy by hosting the world's first UNESCO Category 2 Media and Literacy Institute, where are flagging our leadership in promoting informed citizens, strengthening democratic discourse and advancing methods to safeguard information integrity. We are honoured by the trust you have placed in Nigeria to host this one of a kind institute.
”We are confident in our country to advance our own structure as a leader in driving broad knowledge exchange and capacity building initiative in Africa and beyond.
”It is also the first UNESCO Category 2 institute in Nigeria’s information and communication sector. That is underscoring our validation as an administration to change the communication milestone better than we met it.”
The minister described the establishment of IMILI as both a national milestone and a global necessity.
Idris explained that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially provided foundation support for the take off of IMILI. “We have established all international frameworks that meet all UNESCO standards.”
In his address, UNESCO Director-General, represented by the Assistant Director-General, Communication and Information, Ms, Mariya Gabriel, stated that every day billions of people in Nigeria, South Africa and all over the world pick their gadgets in search for information and some are exposed to content which also promotes information.
She said, "the International Media and Information literacy Institute is not just a media institute. It was created to ensure that our people in Nigeria, Africa and all over the world are not only having access to information but also be able to understand, question and diseminate it wisely.
”By hosting this institute, Nigeria is sending a powerful message of the national transformation, changing with dynamic population, strong institutions and vibrant media outlets."
He said the institute will have three programmes: training, education and support to policy makers in the media space.
The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Uduma O. Uduma, disclosed that information and media literacy is no longer optional, it is a foundation for societies.
He said “Our philosophy is anchored on access, flexibility and innovation. We believe that education must be accessed beyond physical boundaries. In this regard, IMILI is an extension of our nation-building development.”
Prof. Uduma said the partnership indicates a shared commitment in building a knowledge system, stressing that “this initiative is connecting with our mandate as Open and Distance Learning institution.
“The hosting of the day two of this event at our headquarters is both symbolic and strategic. It has made NOUN a growing hub for digital learning, capacity building and knowledge desemination.”
He added that the development also signals NOUN’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to development research across Africa and globally.
“IMILI aligns with our institutional direction as we advance into a future deeply shaped by Artificial Intelligence and digital communication. IMILI is not just an Institute only, it is a transformative platform for intellual empowerment. The essence of this institute will depend on successful collaborations between government, universities, international collaborations and Media practitioners," the NOUN Vice-Chancellor said.
The Permanent Delegate, Dr. Hajo Sani,.and the representative of the former permanent secretaries, Mrs. Lydia Jafiya as well as other attendees took turns to offer their good will messages.
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