Business Day Nigeria Public Service Lecture and Excellence Awards 2025, Abuja

It is an honour to stand before you today, and I extend my sincere appreciation to BusinessDay Media, the BusinessDay Research and Intelligence Unit, and the Editorial Board for this generous recognition.

This nomination is not merely a personal honour; it is a recognition of the collective work of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the commitment of the Tinubu Administration to rebuild public trust, strengthen national cohesion, and enhance the integrity of Nigeria’s information ecosystem.

Over the past 2 years, we have focused on redefining Nigeria’s national communication architecture to promote transparency, professionalism, and citizen-centred governance.

We have revitalised the national orientation framework, strengthened government-to-citizen communication, and advanced reforms that promote media responsibility, ethical standards, and public accountability.

One key milestone in this journey is the establishment of the UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja, the first of its kind on the African continent. This centre will serve as a global hub for research, training, and capacity-building in media literacy, responsible communication, and the fight against misinformation.

Its presence in Nigeria underscores our country’s growing leadership in fostering an informed, ethical, and resilient information environment.

I am grateful that these collective efforts are being acknowledged on this esteemed platform, one that celebrates excellence, reform, and innovation in public service. I congratulate my fellow nominees and awardees whose contributions continue to advance our national progress.

As we look ahead, the Ministry remains committed to building a more informed, united, and values-driven society. We will continue to strengthen public communication channels and deepen the reforms necessary for a healthier, more transparent information space.

Once again, I thank BusinessDay for this honour and for sustaining a platform that inspires excellence in public service.

Thank you.

Mohammed Idris, fnipr
Minister of Information and National Orientation
Abuja, Nigeria