The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has charged independent broadcasters across the country to play a more strategic role in safeguarding Nigeria’s information space, strengthening national unity, and enhancing digital security.
Represented by the Ministry’s Spokesperson at the 2025 Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) held in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister commended the association for adopting the theme: “Broadcasting for Information Sovereignty, National Cohesion and Digital Security.”
Tuggar described the theme as timely and critical to Nigeria’s future, noting that in today’s complex global communication landscape, the ability of a nation to protect its narrative and digital integrity has become a strategic necessity.
“Information sovereignty is the digital-age equivalent of territorial integrity,” he said. “It is about Nigeria’s right and capacity to tell its own stories, shape its narratives, and counter foreign-sponsored disinformation.”
He emphasised that independent broadcasters occupy a frontline position in determining how Nigeria is perceived both at home and abroad. According to him, investing in quality, locally produced content is not merely a commercial decision but a patriotic contribution to national identity and global relevance.
On national cohesion, the Minister stressed that Nigeria’s enormous diversity requires responsible and unifying use of the airwaves.
“With over 230 million citizens, the microphone and the camera are powerful tools that can bridge divides or deepen them,” he noted. He urged broadcasters to amplify shared values, promote dialogue, and foster a sense of belonging among Nigerians.
Speaking on digital security, Tuggar warned that the same technologies enabling broadcasters to reach wider audiences also exposed the national discourse to cyber-attacks and coordinated influence operations.
“Securing your platforms is not just corporate responsibility it is national security,” he said.
He added that the narratives created by broadcasters directly influence Nigeria’s diplomatic leverage, stressed that the story told at home is the story projected abroad.
Tuggar called for stronger collaboration between the government and the broadcasting industry to protect the nation’s information ecosystem, strengthen unity, and present a positive, cohesive image of Nigeria to the world.
He wished IBAN a productive conference and reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with the industry in pursuit of national development and security.
