The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has warned that fake news and digital disinformation pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s moral foundation and long-term stability, urging citizens particularly young people—to embrace verification and responsible online engagement.
Idris spoke on Saturday in Kaduna at the 20th Joint Ramadan Lecture organised by the Nigerian Television Authority, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, and the Voice of Nigeria.
The lecture, themed “Digital Technology and the Moral Future: Navigating the Fitna of Our Time with Faith and Purpose,” was held at Lumana Hall, Zamani College, Kaduna.
Describing the digital era as pivotal to Nigeria’s unity and moral direction, Idris acknowledged that while technology has unlocked opportunities for innovation and enterprise, it has also “unleashed forces that threaten our moral fabric.”
“We live in an age where a single smartphone can broadcast lies before truth can respond,” he said, noting that algorithms often amplify divisive content because “anger spreads faster than reflection.”
According to the minister, disinformation has become a subtle tool of political warfare capable of eroding public trust, deepening suspicion among citizens and undermining national cohesion.
Quoting Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Idris urged Nigerians to adopt a culture of verification and accountability, stressing that faith provides a timeless framework for navigating information disorder. He outlined key ethical safeguards, including verifying information before sharing, maintaining pure intentions, acknowledging limited knowledge, and prioritising social harmony over sensationalism.
Addressing the youth directly, Idris said Nigeria’s predominantly young population must harness digital tools for nation-building rather than division.
He highlighted the administration of President Bola Tinubu and its digital empowerment drive, including the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, aimed at positioning technology as a pathway to opportunity rather than social breakdown.
The minister also referenced Nigeria’s designation by UNESCO as host of Africa’s first Media and Information Literacy Institute, describing media literacy as “the vaccine against misinformation” in today’s volatile digital ecosystem.
In separate presentations, former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Kashere, Umar Pate, and Islamic scholar Tukur Adam Al-Manar acknowledged the transformative power of digital technology but warned against its misuse.
They noted that unregulated social media usage—especially among young Nigerians—has fueled cyberbullying, moral decline, and the rapid spread of falsehood.
Sheikh Al-Manar specifically called on the Federal Government to regulate social media platforms to curb rising immorality and irresponsible content, a position echoed by Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, who said regulation would encourage responsible usage and proper moral upbringing.
The speakers commended the management of NTA, FRCN and VON for sustaining the Ramadan Lecture for two decades, describing it as a vital bridge between faith, media and national development at a time when truth itself faces unprecedented challenges.