Tinubu approves funds for UNESCO media literacy institute
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of funds for the immediate operationalization of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute in Nigeria, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced on Thursday.
Speaking in Paris during a meeting with UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, Idris confirmed that the institute, to be located in Abuja, is set to commence operations soon. The announcement came on the sidelines of President Tinubu’s State Visit to France.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been very supportive of the take-off process and has approved the release of all funds required for the immediate operationalisation of the Institute,” Idris said.
The MIL Institute, a UNESCO Category 2 establishment, is the only one of its kind globally. Idris expressed gratitude to UNESCO for granting Nigeria the hosting rights, describing it as a significant honor.
Dr. Jelassi lauded the initiative’s progress and emphasized its importance in combating global challenges such as misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
He noted that the institute aligns with UNESCO’s efforts to promote digital platform governance, critical thinking, and platform transparency while safeguarding freedom of expression.
Dr. Jelassi also introduced the UNESCO MIL Cities initiative, aimed at integrating Media and Information Literacy into urban design and daily operations, including transportation systems, cultural programs, and public communications. Idris welcomed the concept and pledged that Nigeria would propose a city for inclusion among the inaugural MIL Cities worldwide.
During the meeting, discussions extended to UNESCO’s Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms, published in 2023 after consultations involving over 10,000 submissions from 134 countries. Dr. Jelassi presented copies of the guidelines to Idris, who assured UNESCO of Nigeria’s commitment to domesticating the framework to ensure a safer and more responsible internet.
The meeting, held at UNESCO Headquarters, was attended by Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Dr. Hajo Sani, among other officials.
