The Federal Government has called on independent broadcasters to play a central role in promoting national cohesion, safeguarding information sovereignty, and supporting digital security across Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call on Thursday while delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) held at Daar Communications Headquarters, Asokoro, Abuja.
Minister Idris commended IBAN for providing “a credible platform for national discourse and strengthening the broadcast ecosystem in Nigeria.” He described the theme of the conference – “Broadcasting for Information Sovereignty, National Cohesion, and Digital Security” – as “timely and profound,” emphasizing that it “speaks directly to the present realities of our nation, the future we are working tirelessly to build, and the crucial role the media must continue to play in shaping a stable, secure, and prosperous Nigeria.”
Highlighting the nation’s economic progress, Idris said the government’s reforms were yielding results. “Inflation has dropped to a three-year low of 16 per cent, reflecting deliberate fiscal and monetary policy coordination, while food prices have recorded a sustained reduction, thereby bringing relief to households across the country,” he said.
The minister also noted the strengthening of Nigeria’s foreign reserves, now standing at $46.7 billion, describing it as “the highest in seven years, signaling renewed investor confidence and stability in the macroeconomic environment.” He urged broadcasters to “help Nigerians appreciate these gains.”
On security challenges, Idris stated that the Federal Government remained resolute. “The security architecture has been overhauled; coordination among the services is stronger; and operational capabilities have been significantly enhanced. Many high-profile terrorist and bandit commanders have been neutralised or apprehended in recent months,” he said.
Speaking on recent security incidents, the minister condemned the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, assuring that “Mr. President has given a direct and uncompromising order to the military high command to leave no stone unturned in rescuing the girls safely and reuniting them with their families. We will not rest until this is accomplished!”
He also highlighted the conviction of a top ISWAP commander, Hussaini Ismaila, who received a 20-year prison sentence. Idris said the conviction “represents the growing success of our intelligence, investigation, and prosecution capabilities. It is strong evidence that those who terrorize Nigeria will face justice swiftly and decisively.”
The minister cautioned against misrepresentations of Nigeria’s religious landscape, noting that “any report or index suggesting otherwise is not only inaccurate but designed to sow suspicion and undermine national unity.”
He urged IBAN members to “raise your voices to denounce these misleading classifications” and to “help the world understand Nigeria as it truly is; not through the distorted lens of external agendas, but through factual, balanced, and context-rich reporting.”
Idris reaffirmed the government’s commitment to press freedom, responsible broadcasting, and combating misinformation. “We will continue to promote responsible broadcasting and actively combat misinformation, ensuring that the media environment remains a space where truth, accuracy, and professionalism guide public communication,” he said.
He further pledged support for technological advancement and digital safety in broadcasting, advising media professionals to “invest in newsroom capacity to detect and counter deep fakes, AI-generated misinformation, and online propaganda.”