President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms in the education sector are widening access to tertiary education and improving stability and quality across Nigerian universities, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said.
Idris stated this in Abuja while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja (formerly University of Abuja), Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, who led the institution’s management team on a courtesy visit.
According to a statement shared on the ministry’s official X handle by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris said flagship initiatives of the Federal Government—such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), student innovation grants, and improved engagement between government and universities—are already delivering positive outcomes.
He explained that the reforms, implemented under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, are designed to guarantee equitable access, institutional stability, and enhanced academic standards across the university system.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to closer collaboration with tertiary institutions, particularly in advancing media education, promoting ethical journalism, and tackling the rising challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and digital misuse.
Describing the visit as timely, Idris said the Ministry of Information and National Orientation remains service-driven and committed to supporting academia through public communication, visibility, mentorship, and alignment with national policies. He assured the university of sustained partnership and engagement.
Idris also commended Yakubu Gowon University for establishing a Faculty of Media and Communication Studies, noting that the unbundling of Mass Communication into specialised programmes aligns with global best practices. He stressed the importance of stronger interaction between media professionals and students to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Highlighting Nigeria’s leadership in media and information literacy, the minister referenced the country’s hosting of the UNESCO Category II Media and Information Literacy Institute—the first of its kind globally—as part of efforts to combat fake news and rebuild public trust in information.
In his remarks, Prof. Fawehinmi congratulated Idris on his stewardship of the information sector and sought the ministry’s support, collaboration, and mentorship for the Faculty of Media and Communication Studies ahead of its accreditation. He also pledged the university’s readiness to support the Federal Government’s programmes and policy direction.
