Nigeria Seeks Stronger D-8 Media Alliance to Fight Misinformation, Boost Regional Unity — Minister Idris
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, fnipr, has urged member countries of the Developing-8 (D-8) to deepen collaboration in strengthening media systems, combating misinformation, and promoting regional cohesion.
The Minister made the call while addressing ministers, media leaders, and senior policymakers at the D-8 Media Forum held Thursday in Baku, Azerbaijan. He was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Nze Dili Ezughah.
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Speaking on the theme “Fostering Dialogue, Collaboration, and Regional Cohesion,” Idris said cooperation among developing nations in the information and media landscape has become essential amid digital disruption, global uncertainty, and rising information disorder.
He noted that with the D-8’s combined GDP surpassing $8 trillion and intra-group trade accounting for 10% of global trade, enhanced media cooperation is crucial for shaping public understanding, promoting transparency, and supporting sustainable development.
Nigeria’s Homegrown Innovations Show the Way
The Minister highlighted key reforms Nigeria has implemented over the past year, offering practical lessons for other developing countries. These include:
- Establishment of the UNESCO-backed International Media and Information Literacy Institute (Category 2) — the first of its kind in Africa — which now serves as a global hub for digital safety training, research, and combating misinformation.
- Major progress in digital identity, with over 100 million digital identities registered, improving trust in digital transactions and access to public services.
- Strengthened creative industries—film, music, and digital storytelling—which have enhanced Nigeria’s global image and created millions of youth jobs.
- Economic reforms, including subsidy rationalisation and foreign-exchange correction, which have improved transparency and helped rebuild public trust in government communication.
Idris invited D-8 countries to partner with Nigeria in curriculum development, capacity-building, joint research, and adopting digital verification tools to curb fake news and impersonation.
Proposals for Stronger D-8 Cooperation
The Minister outlined several collaboration pathways, including:
- Developing shared ethical frameworks for digital media
- Joint media literacy programmes for youth, journalists, and vulnerable groups
- Collaborative research on AI-powered media verification tools
- Cross-border media exchanges, fellowships, and newsroom partnerships
- Closer cooperation in film, music, and digital content industries
Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Stability
Idris stressed that the D-8 is not only an economic alliance but a community of nations with shared aspirations and realities. Strengthening cooperation in media and information, he said, will help build informed citizens, cohesive societies, and resilient economies.
“Our cooperation in media and information is vital to building informed citizens, cohesive societies, and resilient economies,” he stated, reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to deepen dialogue and enhance public trust across the bloc.
The statement was issued by Suleiman Haruna, PhD, mnipr, Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, on 21 November 2025.
Nigeria Seeks Stronger D-8 Media Alliance to Fight Misinformation, Boost Regional Unity — Minister Idris