By Joy Omagha Idam
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming, has underscored the urgent need for a credible global information ecosystem that fosters peace, sustainable development, and respect for human rights.
Fleming made the call in Abuja during the official launch of the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute on Media and Information Literacy, the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.
“Our world urgently needs an information ecosystem it can trust—one that promotes peace, sustainable development, and human rights,” she stated.
She commended the Federal Government of Nigeria and the UNESCO General Conference for establishing the institute, noting that the UN’s first-ever Global Risk Report released in July 2025 identified misinformation and disinformation as major global vulnerabilities that have long been underestimated.
Fleming explained that this concern informed the launch of the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity in 2024 by the UN Secretary-General. According to her, the principles are built on five key commitments: societal trust and resilience, healthy incentives, public empowerment through digital literacy, independent and pluralistic media, and transparency backed by research.
“At their core is an unwavering commitment to human rights,” she added, stressing that the principles envision an information ecosystem that guarantees freedom of expression, privacy, safety, and informed decision-making for all.
In his remarks, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the launch of IMILI as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s contribution to global efforts to combat misinformation and promote responsible communication in the digital age.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the President said the institute represents a historic achievement for Nigeria, Africa, and the global community.
Tinubu noted that the initiative comes at a critical time when the spread of false information continues to threaten societies, emphasizing that media and information literacy is essential for strengthening democratic institutions and fostering social cohesion.
He urged Nigerians, especially young people, to embrace media literacy as a vital tool for national development and global engagement, expressing confidence that IMILI would serve as a hub for promoting truth, critical thinking, and responsible information use.
The President also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the institute through funding, institutional collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria, and sustained partnership with UNESCO on its legal and operational frameworks.
Also speaking, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Mariya Gabriel, described media and information literacy as more than a technical competence.
“It is a civic skill, a life skill, and increasingly a survival skill for our democracies,” she said, highlighting the significant gaps that still exist globally.
According to Gabriel, although 171 countries recognize the importance of media and information literacy, only 17 have fully integrated it into national policies, while just nine out of 54 African countries have incorporated it into their curricula.
She further revealed that a UNESCO global survey shows that 62 percent of digital content is shared without proper verification, describing the statistics as a call to urgent action.
Gabriel also raised concerns about persistent inequalities in access to digital spaces, noting that women and girls face disproportionate levels of online harassment and exclusion.
In his address, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the establishment of IMILI reflects Nigeria’s leadership in promoting informed citizenship and safeguarding information integrity.
He explained that the institute would operate as a global hub for research, training, and policy engagement, bringing together educators, media professionals, policymakers, and young people from around the world.
The Minister assured that the government would ensure the institute’s independence, sustainability, and compliance with international standards.
The event attracted high-level dignitaries, including government officials, representatives of international organizations, and key stakeholders in the media and information sector.