The Federal Government has called on international media organisations to pay attention to the positive narratives coming out of Nigeria rather than concentrating only on the negatives.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call during a working visit to the BBC headquarters in London.
According to a statement signed by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Tuesday, the minister’s visit is part of broader efforts by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to build bridges with both foreign and local media organisations.
Idris, during his meeting with senior BBC executives, including the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of BBC News and Director of the BBC World Service, Jonathan Munro, stressed the importance of media houses with global influence understanding the socio-political and cultural contexts of the regions they report on.
“The media plays an indispensable role in shaping the right narratives, fostering understanding, and driving development, and as such, it is incumbent on media houses with global reach to deepen their understanding of the socio-political, economic, and cultural characteristics of the societies they report on,” he noted.
Idris praised the BBC’s role as a key narrator of Nigeria’s political journey, but he also called for more balanced reporting.
He urged the BBC to highlight Nigeria’s progress and successes, particularly by focusing on stories that inspire hope and emphasise positive outcomes in the country.
“Nigeria has a flourishing youth population with uncommon zeal to seize positive opportunities even in the face of immense challenges, a situation that warrants more emphasis on positive outcomes in Nigeria,” Idris posited.
The minister also addressed the growing issue of misinformation and fake news, which he described as a significant challenge for the youth in Nigeria and worldwide.
He urged the BBC to strengthen its efforts to combat these threats and to work collaboratively with international partners to maintain credible and responsible media ecosystems.
Idris commended the BBC for expanding its language services in Nigeria, including broadcasts in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin. He noted that these efforts have improved information dissemination and provided employment and training opportunities for Nigerians.
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