The Federal Government has called for renewed public confidence in information systems and a deliberate shift toward Africa-driven storytelling in the rapidly changing global communication landscape.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made the appeal in Abuja on Tuesday during the maiden national conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) Nigeria. He was represented at the event by Malam Ali M. Ali.
Idris warned that trust in information is increasingly under strain worldwide, with misinformation spreading at alarming speed and facts frequently disputed.
“One of the most important issues before us today is trust. Around the world, public trust in information is under pressure. False narratives spread quickly, and facts are often contested.
“For countries like Nigeria, this has real consequences for governance, security, and national cohesion,” he said.
He stressed that restoring confidence requires a collective commitment to truth, accountability, and responsibility among governments, media institutions, academia, and civil society.
The minister further urged African nations to take ownership of their narratives, projecting stories of resilience, innovation, culture, and growth instead of relying on perspectives shaped externally.
Highlighting the significance of the conference theme, “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” Idris noted that evolving methods of information creation and dissemination are redefining political systems, economies, and citizen engagement globally.
He acknowledged that while digital platforms have amplified Africa’s voice on the world stage, they have also heightened exposure to misinformation, disinformation, and declining institutional trust.
“For Africa, these shifts present both opportunity and responsibility. On one hand, digital platforms and new technologies have given Africans a stronger voice in global conversations.
“On the other hand, they have also exposed our societies to new risks, including misinformation disinformation, and the erosion of trust in institutions.”
Speaking on emerging technologies, Idris described Artificial Intelligence and digital innovations as game changers but cautioned against risks such as bias, manipulation, and excessive control of information.
“Africa must not remain a passive consumer of these technologies. We must actively shape how they are used.
“This requires investment in research, education, and policy frameworks that reflect our realities and protect our values.
“It also calls for stronger collaboration between governments, universities, and the private sector,” he added.
He also underscored the pivotal role of young people as drivers of innovation and influence in modern communication ecosystems, noting that effective communication remains vital to democracy, transparency, and inclusive governance.
Idris reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to expanding access to information and promoting ethical media practices.
In his remarks, Ken Okere of the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA), represented by Mike Yawe, emphasised the urgency of bridging the gap between academic training and industry demands in communication studies.
He observed that the communication landscape is being reshaped by artificial intelligence, algorithms, and the proliferation of misinformation, with digital platforms now wielding greater influence than traditional media.
“Africa is not outside this shift. We are at the centre of it. We are one of the fastest growing digital populations in the world.
“We are producing content scale. We are consuming information at unprecedented levels. But here is the concern, are we also shaping the systems behind that communication or we are simply participating in structures designed elsewhere?” he queried.
Okere pointed out that many graduates lack practical expertise in areas such as real-time content creation, algorithm-driven platforms, and digital tools, calling for a rethink of existing communication education models.
Also speaking, Associate Professor Yakubu Ozohu-Suleiman of Nile University urged African scholars and media practitioners to redefine news values in line with the continent’s development priorities.
He argued that prevailing global media structures often fail to adequately reflect Africa’s progress, advocating more balanced and development-oriented reporting.
Ozohu-Suleiman further called for stronger communication infrastructure across Africa to boost timely global engagement and enhance the continent’s visibility and competitiveness in the international information space.
