The Federal Government has emphasized the importance of a unified communication framework among government institutions to strengthen national security coordination and effectively tackle terrorism and banditry in the country.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja.
Idris said improved collaboration and strategic communication among ministries, departments, and agencies of government would enhance coordination of security efforts and ensure Nigerians are well informed about government policies and reforms.
He explained that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation is engaging with key ministries and agencies to better understand their operations and align communication strategies that project government activities and their impact on national development.
According to the minister, the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public communication on the policies and reforms of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We believe that through interactions among ministries and departments of government, a strategic and unified communication framework can evolve that will boost coordination of security actions in the fight against terrorism and banditry,” Idris said.
He added that effective communication of government policies is crucial for building public understanding, strengthening national confidence, and projecting Nigeria positively to the international community.
Idris also stressed the need for coordinated national messaging on security and governance to ensure that accurate information reaches citizens and counters misinformation.
Responding, Tunji-Ojo said collaboration between the Ministries of Interior and Information is essential for effective dissemination of government policies, particularly in areas relating to citizenship, immigration management, and national security.
The Interior Minister highlighted key reforms introduced under the current administration, especially within the Nigerian Immigration Service, including the clearance of passport backlogs and the introduction of contactless passport renewal services for Nigerians in the diaspora.
According to him, when the current administration assumed office in 2023, there was a backlog of 204,332 passport applications, which he said was cleared within two and a half weeks.
Tunji-Ojo also noted that the ministry has deployed technology-driven solutions to modernize immigration processes, strengthen border security, and improve service delivery to Nigerians both at home and abroad.
He further invited the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to undertake a tour of ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects across agencies under the Ministry of Interior, including the Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both ministries, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, alongside directors and advisers from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Ministry of Interior.