The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasised that a strategic, unified communication framework is essential to strengthening security coordination across Nigeria.
Idris made the remarks on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja yesterday.
“The Federal Government believes that through interactions among ministries and departments, a strategic and unified communication framework can evolve that will boost the coordination of security actions in the fight against terrorism and banditry,” Idris said.
He explained that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation is actively engaging with key ministries and agencies to better understand their activities and ensure Nigerians are well informed about government initiatives and their impact on national development.
“We felt it was important not just to sit in our offices and wait for a press conference. It is crucial to come, interact with ministries, hear them out, and align our communication so that we move in the same direction for our country,” he added.
Idris noted that the visit forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with government institutions and improve public communication on the policies and reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He highlighted that the engagement also focuses on reforms in immigration services, visa processes, and other critical areas under the Ministry of Interior.
“Effective communication of government policies is essential to building public understanding, strengthening national confidence, and projecting Nigeria positively to the international community. Our job is to ensure that whatever the administration does, Nigerians hear about it and understand it,” Idris said.
He further stressed the importance of coordinated national messaging on security and governance, noting that accurate information is key to countering misinformation.
“It is critical that Nigeria has a single narrative on what is happening in the country and how the government is addressing these challenges,” he added.
Idris also highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to projecting Nigeria’s positive economic and governance reforms globally, citing recent economic indicators and international engagements as evidence of renewed confidence in the country.
Responding, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasised that collaboration between the two ministries is vital for effective policy dissemination, particularly regarding citizenship, immigration management, and national security.
“Collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Information is extremely important for appropriate information dissemination. The Ministry of Interior deals with citizenship matters and citizenship integrity, while you handle national orientation,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The Interior Minister highlighted several reforms under the Tinubu administration, including clearing passport backlogs, introducing contactless passport renewal for Nigerians in the diaspora, and deploying advanced border management technologies.
“When Mr. President assumed office in 2023, there was a passport backlog of 204,332 applications. This administration cleared it in just two and a half weeks, ensuring Nigerians would no longer face passport scarcity,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo added that technology-driven solutions have been implemented to enhance border security, modernise immigration processes, and improve service delivery for Nigerians at home and abroad.
He also invited the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to undertake a project tour of major reforms and infrastructure developments across agencies under the Ministry of Interior, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
