By Mercy Peter
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has raised concern over the growing spread of false information in Nigeria, warning that misinformation and disinformation constitute serious moral and national threats capable of undermining unity, stability and development.
The Minister made the remarks in Kaduna at the 20th Joint Ramadan Lecture jointly organised by the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Voice of Nigeria.
The annual event brought together government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders and media executives for reflections on faith, nation-building and responsible citizenship.
Idris urged young Nigerians to exercise caution and responsibility in their use of digital platforms. He observed that while technology has opened unprecedented opportunities for communication, learning and economic participation, it has equally created avenues for the rapid dissemination of unverified and harmful content.
According to him, the challenge posed by false information is not merely technological but deeply moral, requiring discipline, critical thinking and a collective sense of accountability.
Idris further noted that Nigeria’s youthful population remains one of its greatest strategic assets. However, he cautioned that the country’s long-term stability and prosperity will depend on how effectively young people are equipped, guided and empowered to navigate the digital age responsibly.
Highlighting ongoing federal initiatives, the Minister referenced programmes under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at harnessing technology as a catalyst for economic inclusion and opportunity. Among them are the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), both designed to expand access to skills development and education financing for Nigerian youth.
He described these interventions as part of a broader strategy to build an ecosystem where digital innovation serves as a “ladder of opportunity,” rather than a tool for manipulation or societal disruption.
he added, is Nigeria’s designation by UNESCO as host of Africa’s first Media and Information Literacy Institute. Idris characterised the development as a strategic achievement that will strengthen citizens’ capacity for critical thinking and resilience against misinformation and information disorder.
“Media literacy is the vaccine against misinformation,” he said, noting that strengthening public understanding of how information is produced, circulated and consumed is essential in safeguarding Nigeria’s informational space.
“Verify before you amplify. Pause. Interrogate the source,” the Minister charged, stressing that the ease of sharing content on social media must not override the obligation to ensure accuracy and truthfulness. He warned that careless digital engagement can inflame tensions, deepen societal divisions and weaken national cohesion.
“A nation that fails its youth has no future,” Idris declared. “We are systematically investing in structures that enable our young people to thrive in the digital economy, but they must also rise to the moral responsibility that comes with digital freedom.”
The Minister emphasised that protecting the country’s moral and information ecosystem cannot rest solely on government action. He called for a collaborative effort involving parents, educators, religious leaders, media practitioners and the youth themselves.
He stressed that faith and patriotism should go hand in hand, urging Nigerians to allow spiritual consciousness and civic responsibility to guide their conduct online and offline.
The lecture attracted several prominent dignitaries, including the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani (represented), the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, and the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha.
Also present were the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli; the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar; the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; and the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mohammed Bulama, alongside Professor Umar A. Pate and other distinguished guests.
The 20th Joint Ramadan Lecture reinforced calls for responsible digital engagement and underscored the intersection of faith, patriotism and information integrity in shaping Nigeria’s future
