President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday formally launched the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja, declaring the move a decisive intervention against the growing global threat of misinformation, disinformation and digital manipulation.
He said the institute, designated as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre, is the first of its kind in the world dedicated solely to media and information literacy.
Speaking at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, the President described the institute as a historic global milestone and the first of its kind under the UNESCO framework.
According to him, the establishment of IMILI comes at a time when the world is grappling with an explosion of unverified information capable of undermining institutions, dividing societies, and distorting public discourse.
The President warned that the dangers posed by false information are no longer abstract but real and immediate, stressing that IMILI represents a necessary global response.
“We are living in a time of unprecedented access to information, but also unprecedented disorder,” he said, noting that misinformation spreads rapidly, disinformation is weaponised and hate speech continues to fuel conflict across societies.
He emphasised that the ability to distinguish fact from falsehood has become a fundamental civic skill, declaring that media and information literacy is “not optional, but essential” in modern democracies.
The President traced the initiative’s origins to October 2022, when Nigeria hosted the 10th Global Media and Information Literacy Week and committed to establishing a world-class institute.
That pledge, he noted, was fulfilled in November 2025 when all 194 member states at the UNESCO General Conference 2025 unanimously approved Nigeria’s proposal to host IMILI.
He commended key actors who drove the process to fruition, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Nigeria’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Hajo Sani; lawmakers and heads of government broadcast institutions.
The President said IMILI is designed as a global centre for research, training and policy development, with a mandate to work across borders and sectors to strengthen media literacy.
He said institute will collaborate with educators, journalists, policymakers and civil society actors to deepen critical thinking skills and promote responsible information use worldwide.
He added that the federal government has already provided funding, secured institutional backing at the National Open University of Nigeria, and completed the legal and operational frameworks required for its take-off.
The President disclosed plans to integrate media and information literacy into Nigeria’s education system, from primary schools to tertiary institutions.
He stressed that equipping young Nigerians with critical thinking skills is central to national development and democratic resilience.
“The ability to question, verify, and think critically is essential,” he said, urging educators and institutions to embrace the new knowledge framework.
The President called on African countries and the global community to take ownership of the institute, describing IMILI as a shared international resource.
“Nigeria believes strongly that our progress is linked to the progress of others,” he said.
The President delivered a direct message to young people, urging them to take advantage of the institute and play an active role in shaping the future information ecosystem.
“The future of the information space depends on your ability to distinguish truth from falsehood,” he said.
The President linked the establishment of IMILI to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as part of a broader vision to build an informed, empowered, and participatory society.
He maintained that strong institutions, global partnerships, and sustained commitment are critical to countering the risks posed by misinformation.
The President said IMILI should stand as a symbol of truth, critical inquiry, and responsible communication in an increasingly complex digital world.