Nigeria is on the brink of becoming a pivotal player in the global arena of media and information literacy, as the Federal Government announces its intention to host the UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute.
This initiative is seen as a significant step towards enhancing press freedom and democratic values on an international scale.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, confirmed that Nigeria has met all necessary criteria established by UNESCO for the institute’s final approval.
“Since Nigeria was given the provisional hosting right, we have been working very hard,” Idris stated, highlighting the country’s commitment to this initiative.
The institute will be situated at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and is designed to serve not only Nigerian citizens but also the global community. Idris remarked, “This is an opportunity for our country to show its expertise, professionalism, and commitment to media and information literacy globally.”
Support for the project has been robust, with President Bola Tinubu advocating for the initiative and ensuring that appropriate funding and resources are allocated.
“As it is today, we have the right funding for the takeoff of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute category 2 in Nigeria,” Idris added, underscoring the government’s dedication to the project.
International backing has also been significant, with seven countries officially endorsing Nigeria’s bid and an additional twenty expressing interest in supporting the venture. The Nigerian government is optimistic about securing the final hosting rights at the upcoming UNESCO meeting.
A feasibility team from UNESCO, led by Project Manager Nelson Papi Kolliesuah, is currently evaluating the facilities at NOUN to confirm they align with the institute’s requirements. Kolliesuah noted the positive nature of the assessment, stating that the team’s three-day mission is dedicated to reviewing the university’s infrastructure and overall capacity.
