The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, declared open the 2nd Nigeria Spokespersons’ Summit (NSS) in Abuja, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to media literacy, free speech, and the professionalization of public relations practice in Nigeria.
Speaking at the summit organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Minister lauded the Institute for its consistency in advancing the standards of public communication and for curating a high-level gathering of thought leaders, media executives, veteran spokespersons, and policy influencers from across the country.
Idris commended the leadership of the NIPR, especially its President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, for what he described as bold and innovative strides in repositioning the Institute as a central platform for professional discourse and national cohesion.
“I am delighted by the rich array of speakers and themes for this year’s summit, all aimed at strengthening PR practice and enhancing our national unity and economic progress,” the Minister said.
He emphasized the increasing importance of Information and Media Literacy, a global concept introduced by UNESCO in 2008, which he described as key in combating the growing menace of fake news, disinformation, and misinformation.
“To that effect, I am pleased to announce that Nigeria is at an advanced stage in establishing the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, the first of its kind in the world, to be located within the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja,” he revealed.
Idris, who recently returned from a high-level meeting with UNESCO officials in Paris, said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s mandate to restore public trust in government communication.a core pillar of his Ministry’s strategic agenda.
The Minister also announced a significant milestone in the professionalization of public communication in Nigeria. According to him, effective December 2023, Public Relations has been formally recognized as a standalone cadre in the Federal Civil Service. The former “Information Officer Cadre” has now been re-designated as “Information and Public Relations Officer Cadre,” thanks in large part to NIPR’s persistent advocacy.
A major highlight of the event was the Information Ministerial Clinic, a session featuring former Ministers of Information who shared their unique experiences and challenges while serving as government spokespersons.
In closing, Minister Idris reiterated the government’s unwavering support for free speech and responsible creative expression, assuring stakeholders that the administration remains committed to expanding Nigeria’s vibrant media ecosystem and unlocking its economic potential.
“I thank you for your kind attention. It is now my singular honour to declare this event open,” the Minister concluded.
