The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced a collaborative effort with the United States government to bolster press freedom in Nigeria. This announcement followed a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, on Wednesday.

Idris emphasized the importance of press freedom in a vibrant democracy, acknowledging the challenges Nigeria faces but reaffirming the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving media freedom. “The ambassador talked about issues we need to address to enhance press freedom, and we assured him of our ongoing efforts. We recognize that press freedom is crucial, and we are committed to addressing any challenges,” Idris stated.

During the meeting, both Idris and Mills discussed strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation. “We all agree that a robust society cannot be built on fake news and misinformation,” Idris added.

Ambassador Mills highlighted the meeting’s focus on strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria in promoting journalists’ rights and press freedom. He praised the Minister’s efforts and acknowledged the global challenge of disinformation, sharing ideas on addressing this issue.

The collaboration between Nigeria and the U.S. underscores a mutual commitment to enhancing press freedom and tackling the challenges of misinformation in democratic societies.