SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS, fnipr, AT THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (IBAN) 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE ON 20TH NOVEMBER 2025 AT DAAR COMMUNICATIONS HEADQUARTERS, ASOKORO, ABUJA

SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, MOHAMMED IDRIS, fnipr, AT THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (IBAN) 2025 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE ON 20TH NOVEMBER 2025 AT DAAR COMMUNICATIONS HEADQUARTERS, ASOKORO, ABUJA 

 

Protocol. 

I am delighted to be here today at this year’s Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN), as I convey my deep appreciation to the leadership and members of IBAN for the kind invitation extended to me, and for consistently providing a credible platform for national discourse and strengthening the broadcast ecosystem in Nigeria. 

  

The theme of this conference – “Broadcasting for Information Sovereignty, National Cohesion, and Digital Security” is timely and profound. It speaks directly to the present realities of our nation, the future we are working tirelessly to build, and the crucial role the media must continue to play in shaping a stable, secure, and prosperous Nigeria. 

 

This conference is being held at a time when the economic reforms of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, are beginning to yield measurable and reassuring results. It is heartwarming that Inflation has dropped to a three-year low of 16%, reflecting deliberate fiscal and monetary policy coordination, while food prices have recorded a sustained reduction, thereby bringing relief to households across the country. 

 

Nigeria’s foreign reserves now stand at $46.7 billion – the highest in seven years, signaling renewed investor confidence and stability in the macroeconomic environment. These outcomes are not accidental; they are the result of tough but necessary decisions taken by the President to reposition our economy for long-term growth and shared prosperity. Therefore, the media should help Nigerians appreciate these gains. 

Broadcasting remains one of the most powerful instruments for reinforcing national cohesion and protecting our information sovereignty. Your sector, consisting of independent broadcasters, editors, producers, and content creators, continues to be indispensable to the task of building a Nigeria where facts prevail over falsehood, where citizens are informed rather than misled, and where public trust is strengthened rather than eroded. This is why the Federal Government places a high premium on the work you do. 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, in the face of an existential security threat to our country, the Federal Government has remained resolute and focused. The security architecture has been overhauled; coordination among the services is stronger; and operational capabilities have been significantly enhanced. Many high-profile terrorist and bandit commanders have been neutralised or apprehended in recent months. These successes have weakened the operational capacity of criminal groups, forcing them, regrettably, to resort to attacking soft targets. 

 

The recent kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State is one such desperate act. In response, Mr. President has given a direct and uncompromising order to the military high command to leave no stone unturned in rescuing the girls safely and reuniting them with their families. We will not rest until this is accomplished! 

 

Just yesterday, another major milestone was recorded with the conviction of a top ISWAP commander, Hussaini Ismaila, who received a 20-year prison sentence after confessing to several acts of terrorism. His conviction represents the growing success of our intelligence, investigation, and prosecution capabilities. It is strong evidence that those who terrorize Nigeria will face justice swiftly and decisively. 

 

We must also address an emerging and troubling trend, which is the attempt by some international actors and interest groups, to label Nigeria as a country of religious intolerance. Let me be clear: This narrative is false, divisive, and built on misinformation. Nigeria is one of the most religiously diverse countries on earth, and despite our differences, our people have lived together, intermarried, conducted business, and built communities across religious lines for centuries. Any report or index suggesting otherwise is not only inaccurate but designed to sow suspicion and undermine national unity. 

 

This is where IBAN and the broader broadcast community must stand tall. You must collectively raise your voices to denounce these misleading classifications. You must help the world understand Nigeria as it truly is; not through the distorted lens of external agendas, but through factual, balanced, and context-rich reporting. 

 

This conference, which brings together a diverse mix of participants, underscores a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s media and regulatory framework, enhancing broadcast standards, and safeguarding our digital ecosystem. 

 

As the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, I assure you that this government is fully committed to protecting press freedom while upholding national security. We will continue to promote responsible broadcasting and actively combat misinformation, ensuring that the media environment remains a space where truth, accuracy, and professionalism guide public communication. 

 

In addition, the government is determined to support technological advancement and digital safety across the broadcast ecosystem. We are strengthening laws and policies that enhance the credibility and sustainability of the media industry, while also ensuring that the broadcast sector thrives in an environment of innovation, fair competition, and long-term viability. I urge you to reflect accurate realities, not sensational distortions. Invest in newsroom capacity to detect and counter deep fakes, AI-generated misinformation, and online propaganda. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, I wish you a successful and impactful conference. Thank you for listening and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Mohammed Idris, fnipr

Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.

 

Thursday, November 20, 2025