Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has emphasised the critical role of independent broadcasters in shaping the country’s narrative and promoting national cohesion.
In a goodwill message delivered at the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) 2025 Annual General Meeting and Conference, Tuggar stressed that broadcasters are “on the frontlines” of asserting Nigeria’s information sovereignty and promoting national unity.
The Minister, represented by the spokesperson of the Ministry, said the concept of Information Sovereignty is paramount, likening it to territorial integrity. He highlighted the importance of locally-produced content that reflects Nigeria’s realities and aspirations, saying broadcasters are “vanguards of our national story”.
Tuggar urged broadcasters to use their platforms to amplify the country’s shared values and promote dialogue, understanding, and patriotic fervor. He emphasised the need for digital security, saying that broadcasters’ commitment to securing their platforms is “not just a corporate responsibility; it is a matter of national security”.
“A breach in your digital security is a potential breach in our national defence against those who seek to manipulate our society,” Tuggar warned. He called on broadcasters to partner with the government to protect Nigeria’s information ecosystem, promote unity, and project a confident and cohesive nation.
The Minister expressed confidence that a Nigeria that is sovereign in its information, cohesive in its national identity, and secure in its digital space is a Nigeria that commands respect and wields significant influence in international affairs. He wished the conference insightful deliberations and a successful outcome.