Nigeria Partners with UNESCO to Launch World-First International Media and Information Literacy Institute

In a landmark move to combat the global surge of misinformation and hate speech, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially launched the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Domiciled at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, IMILI is the first institution of its kind globally to be backed by UNESCO.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, President Tinubu described the institute’s establishment as a "historical moment" for the international community. The institute will offer specialized short courses and certificate programs designed to empower educators, journalists, and policymakers with the tools to identify and neutralize "malinformation" and digital threats.

The project is a Category 2 UNESCO institute, reflecting Nigeria’s leadership in promoting digital integrity. Ms. Mariya Gabriel, representing the UNESCO Director-General, emphasized that IMILI is more than just a media school—it is a platform for "national transformation" that ensures citizens can understand, question, and disseminate information responsibly.

Highlighting the government’s long-term vision, the President announced plans to integrate Media and Information Literacy (MIL) into the Nigerian educational curriculum, spanning from primary schools to tertiary institutions.

The Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, noted that the university’s mandate for open and distance learning makes it the ideal hub for this global initiative, positioning it as a strategic center for digital research across Africa.