The Federal Government has issued a strong call for greater responsibility
in the use of language within security operations, media reporting, and public discourse.
The government warned that careless or inaccurate definitions can exacerbate divisions and undermine the nation’s unity.
Mohammed Idris, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, conveyed this message at a high-level conference organized by the Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research Nigeria (WISER).
The conference, titled “Contextualising
Definitions and Terminologies to Address Stereotyping and Ethnic Profiling in Discourses and Security Operations in West Africa,” saw the Minister who was ably represented by Dr. Dili Ezughah, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council (NPC).
Idris who emphasized the profound impact of language, stated, “Definitions are not neutral. They carry weight. They influence how communities are seen and how they are treated.”
He further elaborated that “When definitions are careless or inaccurate, they can reinforce stereotypes, deepen divisions and create mistrust between citizens and the institutions meant to protect them.”
The Minister underscored that Nigeria’s diverse nature necessitates careful, responsible, and context-driven communication, especially when addressing security challenges.
He cautioned against linking criminal activities to specific ethnic or religious identities, highlighting that such narratives can erode trust and cooperation among citizens.
“We must promote accuracy in language. We must also ensure that individuals are held accountable for their actions without generalizing blame to entire groups,” he asserted.
Adding, “We must distinguish clearly between criminal behavior and identity.”
Idris also highlighted the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to strengthen national unity and rebuild trust between citizens and institutions.
He cited the National Values Charter as a crucial initiative aimed at promoting accountability, inclusion, and shared responsibility.
The charter, he explained, “provides a clear framework outlining the govt’s responsibilities to citizens and citizens’ responsibilities to the nation,” with the simple purpose of rebuilding trust and
fostering a common understanding of Nigerian identity.In line with these efforts, the National Orientation Agency is spearheading nationwide campaigns to encourage responsible citizenship, counter harmful narratives, and promote unity.
Concurrently, Citizens’ Engagement initiatives are working to deepen the
relationship between the government and its people.
Regarding security, the Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s security architecture to effectively address evolving threats such as
terrorism, banditry, and organized crime. He revealed that a comprehensive framework for a phased transition to state policing has been developed.
This framework, he noted, “proposes a carefully phased transition to a decentralized policing system over a 60-
month period,” with “strong safeguards… embedded to prevent political misuse.”
Idris also touched upon Nigeria’s continued collaboration with intl partners in intelligence sharing, capacity building, and counter- terrorism, while urging against misrepresentation of the country in global narratives. He affirmed, “While challenges exist,
they do not define our country. Nigeria remains a place where different religious groups coexist… and where government continues to take steps to strengthen inclusion and fairness.”
The Minister appealed to media practitioners to uphold professionalism and responsibility, particularly in the digital age where information disseminates rapidly.
He stressed, “Reporting must be responsible, verified and sensitive to context. The consequences of
misinformation or careless framing can be severe.” He also called for stronger regional
cooperation across West Africa to establish responsible communication frameworks that support security and social cohesion.
In conclusion, the Minister reiterated that security extends beyond mere physical
protection, emphasizing that it must be founded on trust, fairness, and shared values.
“Security is not only about protecting territory. It is about protecting people, their dignity, their sense of belonging,” he stated, concluding that “That trust begins with fairness, in action, in policy, and in language”.
