The Federal Government has issued a strong warning against the use of careless and harmful language in security operations, media reporting, and public discourse, cautioning that such practices could deepen divisions and erode national unity.
Speaking at a high-level conference in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stressed that the way issues are framed—particularly around security—can significantly shape public perception and societal cohesion. The event, organised by the Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research Nigeria, focused on addressing stereotyping and ethnic profiling in West Africa.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dr. Dili Ezughah, the minister underscored the weight of language in national discourse. “Definitions are not neutral. They carry weight. They influence how communities are seen and how they are treated,” he said. He warned 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 emphasised the need for precision and responsibility, particularly when reporting on criminal activities. He cautioned against linking crimes to ethnic or religious identities, noting that such narratives risk undermining trust and cooperation in a diverse society like Nigeria. “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 stated, adding, “We must distinguish clearly between criminal behavior and identity.”
Highlighting ongoing reforms, Idris pointed to the Federal Government’s efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rebuild trust and strengthen national unity. Central to this effort is the National Values Charter, which he described as a framework designed to foster accountability, inclusion, and shared responsibility among citizens and government institutions.
“The charter provides a clear framework outlining the government’s responsibilities to citizens and citizens’ responsibilities to the nation,” he said. “Its purpose is simple, to rebuild trust and create a common understanding of what it means to be Nigerian.”
He further noted that agencies such as the National Orientation Agency are driving nationwide campaigns aimed at promoting responsible citizenship and countering divisive narratives, while citizen engagement initiatives are helping to deepen trust between the government and the public.
On the security front, the minister reaffirmed that the government is strengthening its response to evolving threats, including terrorism, banditry, and organised crime. He disclosed that a comprehensive plan for transitioning to state policing is underway. “A comprehensive framework… proposes a carefully phased transition to a decentralized policing system over a 60-month period,” he said, adding that “strong safeguards have been embedded to prevent political misuse.”
Idris also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing collaboration with international partners in intelligence sharing and capacity building, while urging caution against misrepresenting the country in global narratives. “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,” he affirmed.
He concluded with a direct appeal to journalists and media practitioners, stressing the urgency of professionalism in an era of rapid information dissemination. “Reporting must be responsible, verified and sensitive to context. The consequences of misinformation or careless framing can be severe,” he said.
