IBAN 2025 Conference: Foreign Minister Hails Broadcasters as Guardians of Nigeria’s Story

By Iyojo Ameh

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has commended independent broadcasters for their crucial role in shaping and protecting the nation’s narrative, unity, and digital security.

Delivering his goodwill message at the 2025 Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN), Ambassador Tuggar—represented by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa—described this year’s theme, “Broadcasting for Information Sovereignty, National Cohesion and Digital Security,” as timely and central to Nigeria’s strategic future.

He noted that the theme aligns directly with Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, particularly at a time when control of national narratives is key to global influence.

“The ability of a nation to control its narrative, protect its digital integrity, and unite its citizens is no longer a soft power preference—it is a strategic imperative,” he said.

The Minister stressed that information sovereignty has become as critical as territorial sovereignty, hinging on Nigeria’s capacity to tell its own stories and withstand “foreign-sponsored disinformation and cultural homogenisation.” He added that broadcasters who invest in compelling local content are at the forefront of asserting this sovereignty.

On national cohesion, Ambassador Tuggar highlighted the responsibility placed on the broadcast sector, describing Nigeria’s public airwaves as a “sacred trust” in a country of over 230 million people. He urged broadcasters to use their platforms to promote shared values and strengthen unity, warning that the media has the power to either bridge national divides or deepen them.

Addressing digital security concerns, he noted that while modern technologies enhance global reach, they also expose the nation to cyber threats, influence operations, and data breaches. Protecting broadcast infrastructure, he cautioned, is therefore not just a technical duty but “a matter of national security.”

“The narrative you build at home is the narrative we project abroad, and we cannot afford to fail in that regard,” he added.

The Minister called for stronger collaboration between government and broadcasters to safeguard the nation’s information ecosystem and counter the growing tide of misinformation and harmful narratives.

He urged participants to view themselves as “essential partners in nation-building,” and wished them productive deliberations and a successful conference.