The minister of foreign affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has called for close working relations between the federal government and the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) to protect Nigeria’s information ecosystem.

Mr Tuggar made this call in his goodwill message on the occasion of the IBAN 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and conference in Abuja.

The minister, represented by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the ministry, said that such partnership would help to forge unity and project a Nigeria that was confident and in control of its own destiny.

He said that the theme: “Broadcasting for Information Sovereignty, National Cohesion and Digital Security” was not only timely but absolutely critical to Nigeria’s future.

Mr Tuggar said it resonated deeply with the core objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

“In an increasingly interconnected and complex global information space, 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.

“Undoubtedly, the independent broadcasters are on the frontlines of this crucial endeavour.

“The concept of Information Sovereignty is paramount. It is the digital-age equivalent of territorial integrity.

“It is about Nigeria’s right and capacity to tell its own stories, shape its own narratives, and counter the corrosive effects of foreign-sponsored disinformation and cultural homogenisation.

“When you invest in high-quality, locally-produced content that reflects our authentic realities and aspirations, you are not just filling airtime; you are asserting our sovereignty in the global arena. You are the vanguards of our national story.”

He described broadcasters as architects of national cohesion, stressing that such could not be overstated.

Mr Tuggar said that with a population of not less than 230 million people in a nation of immense diversity like Nigeria, the public airwaves were a sacred trust.

He said that the microphone and the camera were powerful tools that could either bridge divides or deepen them.

“I urge you to use your platforms to amplify the threads that bind us together, our shared values, our common challenges, and our collective hopes.

“By promoting dialogue, understanding, and patriotic fervour, you directly contribute to the internal stability that is the bedrock of a strong and respected nation on the world stage.

“Your commitment to securing your platforms and ensuring the integrity of the information you disseminate is not just a corporate responsibility; it is a matter of national security.

“A breach in your digital security is a potential breach in our national defence against those who seek to manipulate our society.

“A Nigeria that is sovereign in its information, cohesive in its national identity, and secure in its digital space is a Nigeria that commands respect and wields significant influence in international affairs.”

He urged the stakeholders of the broadcast industry not to work more closely with government to achieve desired goals.

“Your work directly impacts our diplomatic leverage; this is because the narrative you build at home is the narrative we project abroad,  and we cannot afford to fail in that regard.

“Therefore, I challenge you to see yourselves as essential partners in nation-building and in safeguarding our national interests, especially in this era of a complex web of misinformation and negative narratives about our country.

“Let us forge a stronger partnership between government and the broadcasting industry to protect our information ecosystem, promote unity, and project a Nigeria that is confident, cohesive, and in control of its own destiny,” he said.

(NAN)