Nigeria Assures UNESCO of Media Information Literacy Institute’s Autonomy
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Federal Government has reassured UNESCO of the full autonomy and sustainability of the Category 2 Media Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, set to be established at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave this assurance during a meeting with Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Dr. Hajo Sani, in Abuja.
He explained that while the institute will be affiliated with NOUN, it will maintain independence in its governance and operations, in line with UNESCO’s guidelines.
“The President has already provided initial funding to ensure that Nigeria meets all UNESCO requirements,” Idris said, highlighting the government’s commitment to making the MIL Institute a global hub for media training and combating misinformation.
Dr. Sani welcomed the development, stating that the institute would play a critical role in equipping individuals and institutions with the skills needed to navigate today’s digital information landscape.
With UNESCO’s final approval expected at its General Conference in November 2025, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in media literacy and digital governance.
