The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has urged media practitioners and public relations professionals to embrace responsible communication to curb misinformation and disinformation in the communication ecosystem.

Idris gave the advice on Wednesday in Abuja at a news conference organised ahead of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), scheduled to hold from Nov. 15 to Nov. 22.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum will be held alongside the 37th African Public Relations Conference, bringing together communication professionals from across the world.

The theme of the forum is: “Responsible Communication, the Voice of the World.”

The minister described Nigeria’s selection as host of the international event as a significant recognition of the country’s growing capacity and competitiveness in the global communication and public relations industry.

“It’s my pleasure to address you today as we prepare to welcome the Global Public Relations and Communications Community to Nigeria for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum,” he said.

The minister expressed appreciation to the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and the African Public Relations Association (APRA) for selecting Nigeria to host the event.

He said the hosting arrangement reflected growing international recognition of Nigeria’s professional institutions, human capital and potential to contribute meaningfully to global discussions on communication leadership and development.

According to him, hosting the World Public Relations Forum alongside the 37th African Public Relations Conference will provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, professional collaboration and stronger partnerships across continents.

He noted that Nigeria was proud to become the first country in West Africa and the second in Africa to host the World Public Relations Forum.

The minister described the achievement as a major milestone not only for the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), but also for the entire African communication industry.

He said the forum’s theme was timely, particularly as the world continued to experience rapid changes in information dissemination and communication technologies.

“We live in an era when information travels faster than ever before.”

Idris observed that digital platforms, artificial intelligence and emerging communication technologies had transformed how governments, businesses, institutions and individuals interacted.

He, however, said that while the developments had created enormous opportunities, they had also introduced challenges, including misinformation, disinformation, declining public trust, information manipulation and the misuse of artificial intelligence.

The minister therefore stressed that responsible communication had become more important than ever, particularly in protecting the credibility of information circulating across different platforms.

He urged public relations professionals to recognise that their responsibilities extended beyond managing reputations and promoting institutional interests.

He said communication practitioners had a duty to uphold truth, accuracy, transparency and professional ethics while ensuring that public interest remained central to their activities.

Idris said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Tinubu, was taking practical steps to address the challenges associated with misinformation and disinformation.

He identified the establishment of the UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja as one of the significant initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s response to the challenges.

Idris said President Tinubu had supported Nigeria’s bid to host the institute, expressing optimism that the country would provide leadership in combating fake news and addressing challenges associated with artificial intelligence.

He explained that the institute, established in partnership with UNESCO and other stakeholders, was designed to promote media and information literacy through research, training and capacity building.

The minister emphasised that combating misinformation should not be regarded as the sole responsibility of government or media organisations.

He said citizens must also be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to distinguish credible information from falsehoods.

Idris further stressed the importance of effective government communication, describing it as a two-way process that required listening to citizens and addressing their legitimate concerns.

He said, “For governments, communication must be a two-way process, as we always know.”

According to him, government communication should not only explain policies and programmes but also provide accurate information that enables citizens to understand them.

He added that responsible public communication should accommodate citizens’ feedback and, where necessary, allow government to reconsider certain decisions.

The minister said strategic communication was particularly important as the Tinubu administration continued to pursue policies aimed at strengthening the economy, improving public institutions and creating opportunities for sustainable development.

He explained that effective communication would help provide context to government reforms, strengthen public understanding and maintain constructive engagement between government and citizens.

Idris maintained that public trust could only be strengthened through credible information, consistency, transparency and accountability.

He said the government would continue to emphasise professional standards, media and information literacy, as well as responsible engagement across the information ecosystem.

The minister expressed optimism that the forum would provide an opportunity for communication professionals from different countries and backgrounds to examine how responsible communication could strengthen institutions and promote peaceful coexistence.

He added that discussions at the event would also explore the contribution of strategic communication to sustainable development across the world.

Idris assured the international community that Nigeria was prepared to host a successful and memorable event from Nov. 15 to Nov. 22.

“We are ready, we are determined, we are focused, and Nigeria will indeed deliver.”

He disclosed that President Tinubu was fully committed to the successful hosting of the forum, adding that the Presidency had reaffirmed its support for the event.

According to him, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation is also working with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations to ensure effective coordination and a successful hosting experience.

The minister welcomed international participants to Nigeria, urging them to explore the country’s cultural heritage, diverse traditions, music and entertainment during their visit.

He described Nigeria as a country of diverse people, creativity, resilience and enterprise, expressing confidence that visitors would have a positive experience.

“Nigeria is not all about the bad news that you hear. There is good news, so much of it, in this country, especially at this time in our history.”

He urged international delegates to come with open minds, assuring them that their experience would give them a deeper appreciation of Nigeria and its potential.

Also speaking, Prof. Justin Green, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, described misinformation and disinformation as global challenges affecting countries across the world.

According to him, the issue of misinformation and disinformation is a global issue that affects every single country around the world.

Green emphasised that responsible communication began with individuals who were committed to ethical standards and the verification of information before sharing it.

“Responsible communication begins with responsible people.”

He urged media practitioners and members of the public to uphold their respective codes of ethics and make truth-seeking and verification fundamental principles of communication.

Green maintained that every individual had a responsibility to ensure that information shared with others was accurate, whether in personal relationships, professional engagements or public communication.

He said media organisations and individuals must verify information before republishing it, stressing that the objective was to promote truth, trust and accuracy rather than suppress freedom of expression.

He added that protecting future generations required collective efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation through the dissemination of verified information.

In her remarks, Mrs Moji Makanjuola, a broadcaster and public relations professional, who chairs the Women’s Committee of the forum, highlighted activities planned to showcase Nigerian culture, hospitality and the contributions of women.

She said the committee had introduced a Jollof Rice Festival to celebrate Nigerian culinary heritage and provide an opportunity for international delegates to experience the country’s hospitality.

Makanjuola explained that the festival would feature about 10 varieties of Jollof rice prepared to showcase the diversity and creativity of Nigerian cuisine.

She said the initiative would run concurrently with the Women’s Conference, describing the combination as an innovative opportunity to celebrate Nigerian women and their contributions to society.

“We want, on behalf of all of us, particularly Nigerians, to appreciate the fact that we have a forum to express the capacity and the goodness of Nigerian women, the strength.”

She disclosed that the organisers were targeting about 10,000 participants and food enthusiasts to taste the different varieties of Jollof rice during the festival scheduled for Nov. 19.

Makanjuola expressed confidence in Nigeria’s culinary heritage, saying the festival would provide an opportunity to celebrate the country’s cultural identity without turning it into a competition.

In his remarks, Dr Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, expressed excitement over Nigeria’s preparations to host the international forum.

He recalled that the process of securing the hosting rights began in Bali in November 2024 and required several months of engagements and negotiations.

Neliaku said Nigeria eventually secured the hosting rights on March 5, 2025, after overcoming challenges and defending its bid at an international engagement in Venice.

He commended Green for standing firmly behind Nigeria throughout the process, describing his support as instrumental to the country’s successful bid.

He expressed appreciation to the Global Alliance leadership and other stakeholders for their contributions towards bringing the international event to Nigeria.

Also speaking, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, Secretary-General of APRA, said the 37th African Public Relations Conference would be held concurrently with the World Public Relations Forum.

Ibietan explained that the conference would provide an opportunity for communication professionals to reimagine responsible communication in response to disruptions in the global information environment.

He said the gathering would examine how communication could be strengthened to promote social organisation, development and peaceful coexistence.

He described Africa’s role in the history of human civilisation and communication as significant, expressing satisfaction that Nigeria had been selected to host the global and continental gatherings.

Ibietan said it was symbolic that the international communication community was returning to Nigeria, which he described as the heart of Africa, to reconsider the role of communication in organising society.

He commended Green for supporting Nigeria and Africa in securing the hosting rights, expressing confidence that the forum would strengthen professional collaboration and responsible communication across the continent and beyond.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Yakubu Uba