IBAN 2025 AGM/Conference:

November 22, 2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Maitama Tuggar, has stressed the significance of Nigeria’s information sovereignty as paramount as it represents digital-age equivalent of territorial integrity and the ability of the country to tell its own stories.

The Minister in his goodwill message during the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) 2025 Annual General Meeting and Conference, with the theme;

“Broadcasting for Information Sovereignty, National Cohesion and Digital Security” in Abuja, maintained information sovereignty will counter the corrosive effects of foreign-sponsored disinformation and cultural homogenization.

Represented by the ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, and his Special Assistant on Media, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the minister said; “from the perspective of his ministry , 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.

“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, and shape its own narratives.”

He acknowledged the critical role IBAN plays as key partner in nation building, describing the theme as apt.

“I commend your leadership for choosing a theme that is not only timely but absolutely critical to our nation’s future:

This theme resonates 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.”

According to the minister, the concept of when you invest in high-quality, locally-produced content that reflects authentic realities and aspirations, you are not just filling airtime; you are asserting Nigeria’s sovereignty in the global arena.

“You are the vanguards of our national story. Your role as architects of National Cohesion cannot be overstated.

“With a population of over 230 million people in a nation of immense diversity like ours, the public airwaves are a sacred trust. The microphone and the camera are powerful tools that can 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.” he said

He said that the third pillar of the theme, Digital Security, is equally vital because the very technologies that allow content to reach a global audience also expose the national discourse to malicious actors, including cyber-attacks, data breaches, and coordinated influence operations.

“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.

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

“Let us forge a stronger partnership between the 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