By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, has warned that foreign information manipulation and disinformation campaigns pose serious threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty, unity, and international reputation.
He gave the warning at the 2025 Quarterly Strategy Meeting of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), hosted by the Borno State Government in Maiduguri.
The two-day strategy meting , held at the Government House Multipurpose Hall, had as its theme: “FGN–PGF Synergy 2025: One Message, One Future.”
It brought together Commissioners for Information from all APC-governed states to deliberate on strategies for strengthening coordination between federal and state governments in public communication and national orientation.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Malagi said Nigeria is at a critical juncture where the information space is increasingly being weaponised by foreign actors and hostile networks seeking to influence public opinion, distort national narratives, and sow division among citizens.
He described such interference as a modern form of warfare that can undermine public trust, destabilize institutions, and threaten the very fabric of national sovereignty.
> “Disinformation is no longer a mere nuisance—it is a national security concern. When falsehoods are deliberately spread by foreign interests to discredit our leaders or disrupt our democracy, we must respond with unity, truth, and clarity,” Malagi declared.
The Minister commended Borno State for its resilience and recovery after years of insurgency, describing Maiduguri as “a symbol of courage and rebirth in the face of adversity.” He paid tribute to the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices in defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
He also praised the state’s traditional and religious leaders for promoting peace and social cohesion, adding that the success of information management at the state level depends on responsible communication and credible media engagement.
The Minister emphasized the need for Commissioners for Information to serve as “the first line of defense against misinformation and foreign propaganda.”
He urged them to promote Nigeria’s National Value Charter across all communication platforms, highlighting unity in diversity, patriotism, and shared identity as guiding principles of public messaging.
Malagi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive growth under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and new sectoral ministries are steering the country toward long-term prosperity.
He cited recent achievements including a GDP growth of 4.23% in the second quarter of 2025, external reserves surpassing $42 billion, and new social intervention programs such as the student loan scheme, which has so far benefited over 600,000 tertiary students nationwide.
In his closing remarks, the Minister called for closer synergy between federal and state information organs to ensure consistency in messaging and resilience against disinformation.
> “Our task is not only to inform but to defend the truth. In a world where lies travel faster than facts, Nigeria must speak with one voice—firm, credible, and patriotic,” he concluded.
End
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