FG Hails NOUN Leadership in Open and Distance Learning, Backs IMILI for Civic Enlightenment

The Federal Government of Nigeria has praised the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) for its outstanding contributions to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and its pivotal role in establishing the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), set for UNESCO certification in November 2025 at the General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, delivered the commendation during a courtesy visit by a NOUN delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Olufemi Peters on Tuesday in Abuja.

Minister Idris described IMILI as more than an educational venture, calling it a strategic investment in truth, literacy, and civic enlightenment. He reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation's dedication to partnering with NOUN, UNESCO, and the Federal Ministry of Education to secure Nigeria's ratification and recognition of the institute at the upcoming UNESCO conference. "IMILI is not only an educational initiative but also a strategic national investment in truth, literacy and civic enlightenment, and that is why the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is committed to working with NOUN, UNESCO, and the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure Nigeria’s successful ratification and recognition of IMILI at the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, next month," he stated.

The minister highlighted IMILI's potential to foster responsible media practices and elevate Nigeria's influence in information literacy across Africa, aligning seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on integrity, accountability, and public enlightenment. "Not only positions Nigeria as a leading voice in media and information literacy across Africa, but the grand initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which promotes integrity, accountability, and public enlightenment," Idris added.

Idris also urged Nigerians to stand united against foreign-driven efforts to erode national unity through misinformation, emphasizing collective responsibility in countering fake narratives that threaten peace and the country's global image. "Nigerians should join hands together, collectively, to stop fake narratives about our country. We all have a responsibility to project the truth and protect Nigeria’s image. Misinformation has the capacity to divide nations, and we must not allow that to happen to ours," he warned, underscoring media literacy's role in national development.

In response, Professor Olufemi Peters conveyed NOUN's sincere appreciation to the ministry for selecting the university to host IMILI and for the ₦250 million grant supporting its launch. He assured full readiness for global accreditation as a UNESCO Category Two Institute, leveraging NOUN's digital infrastructure, academic expertise, and institutional strength to ensure the institute's autonomy and worldwide impact. "NOUN is fully prepared for the global accreditation of IMILI as a UNESCO Category Two Institute, and this recognition will further enhance Nigeria’s reputation in education and media literacy," Peters said. He further guaranteed sustainable operations, with established frameworks to maintain international standards, positioning IMILI as a beacon for media education in Africa.