Tag: Alhaji Mohammed Idris

The Federal Government says, the relationship between Nigeria and the United States (U.S.) is stronger and will continue to wax stronger and beneficial to both countries.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, made this known at the End of Year Media briefing on Monday in Abuja.

He explained that in 2025, Nigeria navigated complex international diplomacy with maturity and principle.

He added that the recent diplomatic spat with the U.S. has been resolved through firm, respectful engagement, culminating in a strengthened partnership.

“Just last week, the Federal Government of Nigeria signed a five-year, $5.1 billion dollar bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of the United States.

“In the agreement, the U.S. will provide $2.1 billion dollars in grant funding, while Nigeria will commits $3 billion dollars.

“This has been described as the largest co-investment by any country to date under the America First Global Health Strategy.

“It will strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, save lives, and attract investment.

“Those that thought Nigeria’s relationships with U.S. was going down due to the recent misunderstanding can now see that the ties is even stronger than before,” Idris said.

According to him, Nigeria is no longer on the sidelines, adding that it is a confident and strategic partner on the global stage, defending its national interests and attracting beneficial partnerships.

“Just last month, we regained our Category C seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium; a celebrated comeback following 14 years of absence”

Still on the international scene in 2025, Idris stated that various Nigerians assumed significant international positions across various sectors, including Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organisation,

Others are the Executive Director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme, Vice Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, and Vice President of the International Association for Ports and Harbours in Tokyo.

“Additionally, this year, we secured hosting rights for the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) 2026, and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027, one of the largest trade gatherings on the African continent.

“In 2026, our newly appointed Ambassadors will take up their posts in their countries of assignment, strengthening our bilateral relations and advancing our visibility and strategic engagements in the global community,” Idris said.

(NAN)

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says government will continue to restore trust in public communication through honest, sincere, patriotic and purposeful communication strategy.

Idris stated this in an interview on the sideline of the 2025 Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS) and Dinner on Sunday night in Abuja.

The event was organised by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) in collaboration with The Best Strategic Media.

Idris, who was also an awardee, said the reward for hardworking was more; adding that the award would motivate him, the Ministry, Departments and Agencies to do more in the service to the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NEAPS award to Idris makes it the second award he clinched within five days, the first being the Business  Day Award for Excellence in Public Service on Dec.3.

“This is a country that all of us love; recognising our contribution to nation building is heartwarming and will make us to do even more for our country, people democracy itself.

“We are supposed to shape communication for development, for the good and progress of our country. This is the mandate given to me by President BolaTinubu.

“We thank him for the opportunity given to us to serve our fatherland. We will continue to restore trust in public communication. This is what I think is the major challenge.

“We want to also look at ways and means of also fighting fake news, disinformation and misinformation, because, these are two very dangerous issues that are living with us.

“They can make or mar a society/community. Therefore we will continue to work hard to ensure that Nigerians are informed properly in accordance with what the rules and regulations are,” Idris said.

He further explained that he is not alone in the success story, adding that it is indeed all the heads of agencies, directors and staff of the ministry that joined hands to ensure the repositioning of the information and communication sector.

According to him, that is what they are doing for the country.

“I feel happy in the trajectory we have taken and I do hope that by the time we get this done, we will have made a significant contribution in that direction.

“This means the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu is succeeding. So if people are happy in what you do, of course it is expected that they will recognise you. We feel happy that this has been done.

“Nigerians should remain united. Nigeria should be that country that has the prosperity that Mr President has promised when he took office.

“What we are saying is that we don’t have any other place to go. This is our country. We should be proud to be here and must join hands in ensuring that we move it forward.

“This is what the president is always asking for. Let’s come together. You have to believe in your country. The country is greater than everyone.

“And all of us will have to come together to ensure that we do what is best for our country, because this is the only place we have,” Idris reiterated

NAN reports that personalities that also got awards include governors of Bauch, Zamfara, Kogi, Enugu, and Ministers of Aviation, Women Affairs and many others.(NAN)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu set up the Nigerian Educational Loan Fund (NELFUND)  to ensure that no child is denied access to quality higher education, Information and National Orientation Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said yesterday.

The minister spoke at a Town Hall meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, organised by the ministry to explain to the public the mid-term achievements of the President.

The theme of the sensitisation was: ‘Tinubu Administration’s Mid-Term Report.’

Idris, who was represented by the Head of Federal Ministry of Information in Oyo State, Mr Moses Oyelade, lamented that the country had suffered a regime of haphazard human development indices over the years.

The minister said President Tinubu took measures to reposition the economy due to the declining Human Development Index (HDI).

Idris said the president’s resolve made him to embark on the NELFUND initiative.

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No fewer than 5,000 students of the University of Ibadan have benefited from the fund, he added.

The minister said the administration has been transforming the country through people-oriented  policies and programmes.

The Resource Person, Dr Solomon Oyeleye, who is the Acting Director of Parents’ Engagements and Alumni Relations, Caleb University, Lagos, lauded the economic-policies of the Tinubu administration.

He said the removal of oil subsidy was in order, stressing that the decision, which was risky, was very necessary.

The expert recalled that before President Tinubu assumed the reins, the country was spending more than 80 per cent of its revenue on servicing loans.

Oyeleye said: “Although we are not there yet,  what the President has done so far is guiding us towards a direction that our forefathers actually envisioned.”

He urged the Federal Government to dialogue with the stakeholders, including the  Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the health workers’ union, to ensure that the country does not lose the gains of the oil subsidy removal.

Oyeleye also canvassed federal support for regional security outfits, including ‘Amotekun,’ to  empower them as complements to the police and other security agencies.

He said social programmes should be enlarged to cover more of the Southwest.

Highlighting the achievements of the administration in Oyo State, the Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Victor Kolawole, said that government, in the last two years, embarked on a number of road construction/ rehabilitation across the state.

He said Oyo State plays a vital role in the economic and transportation sector of Nigeria because it was a gateway to other regions in country.

He pointed that in March, the Federal Government re-awarded the contract for the completion of Oyo-Ogbomoso dual carriage-way.

Kolawole said the new contractor was working aggressively on the project.

He also said that work was ongoing on the Saki-Okerete road, “which is a transborder road”

He added: “Also, Ibadan-Oyo road is undergoing rehabilitation while Ibadan-Ife- Ilesa road reconstruction is receiving federal government attention.”

Kolawole said the Federal Ministry of Works, under the leadership of Senator David Umahi, due to evolving realities, had to rescope the Ibadan-Ife- Ilesa road project to reflect technical, financial  and social considerations.

He added: “The ministry is determined and committed to overcoming this challenges and delivering the project to meet the socio-economic aspirations of the people and the Renewed Hope Agenda of this present administration.”

Kolawole maintained that the Federal Government, through the Works ministry  would continue to deliver quality road projects for the benefits of Nigerians.

Also, Solomon Adewole, who spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Oyo State Office, said the administration was currently constructing 250- housing units, known as Renewed Hope Estate, at Erunmu in Ibadan.

Adewole said the Renewed Hope Estate project comprises 25 units of one bedroom, 75 units of two bedroom and 25 units of three bedroom.

He said the houses were meant for the less privileged because of its affordability to the common masses.

Adewole said the road network into the estate had been completed while the real project was at over 60 per cent completion.

The Dean of Students, University of Ibadan, Prof. Demola Lewis, lauded President Tinubu’s administration for the introduction of NELFUND.

He confirmed that not less that 5,000 students of the University of Ibadan, had benefited from the initiative.

He urged government to further introduce students-friendly initiatives that would assist more students in their academic pursuits.

The midterm report card delivery by the minister had been taken to Enugu and Ebonyi states in the Southeast, among others.

The Federal Government says it will, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) , provide the necessary support to  victims’ families and survivors of the Borgu boat mishap in Niger.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation,  Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in a statement he  personally signed said the government received the sad news with a heavy heart.

Thirty two lives were lost in the boat mishap which occurred on Tuesday with about 50 people rescued.

According to Idris, the tragedy is particularly painful, coming barely four months after devastating floods wreaked havoc in Mokwa, also in Niger.

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“We extend our deepest condolences to families of the victims, government, and the people of Niger State.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected by this tragedy.

“The Federal Government, through NEMA, will provide the necessary support to the victims’ families and survivors, working closely with the Niger Government to ensure prompt relief and assistance.

“We commend the Niger Government, through the State Emergency Management Agency, for its swift rescue operation, which ensured that all passengers of the ill-fated boat were accounted for.

“I will use this opportunity to once again remind the people to always prioritise safety when travelling on our inland waterways,” Idris said.

He further cautioned that no one should embark on boat journeys without wearing appropriate protective jackets, adding that safety precautions could  make the difference between life and death.

“Furthermore, the federal government has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to mount a massive nationwide sensitisation campaign to raise public awareness on safety measures when using inland waterways.”

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the ongoing reforms of the Federal Government are aimed at creating a more stable, fair and prosperous Nigeria.

According to him, these reforms are built on the foundation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, with a view to making Nigeria a better country as patriotically envisioned by President Bola Tinubu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idris spoke in Minna, Niger on Thursday, at the Sensitisation campaign with the Theme: ‘Tinubu Administration’s Reports’, organised by the Ministry.

He said, “This is about giving the citizens access to facts, fostering dialogue, and ensuring that truth is not lost in the noise.”

On fuel subsidy removal, the minister said it was a “tough but necessary decision.”

He added, “It was to free up national resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job creation — rather than fuel consumption benefits enjoyed by only a few.”

Idris also stated that the foreign exchange reform was aimed at unifying exchange rates to create a more transparent and investor-friendly economy.

According to him, this is with the view to further helping to stabilise the nation’s currency and attract long-term investments.

Idris said, “From the students’ loan initiative to small business support and conditional cash transfers, the government is working to protect the most vulnerable among us.

“We understand that reforms are not always comfortable. Change can be hard.

“But these are long-term investments in the future of our country — to create jobs, reduce poverty, and ensure that Nigeria works not just for a few, but for all.

“This is why today’s program is not just about government talking — it’s about listening. It’s about engaging with you — the people.

“This is to explain what is being done, why it’s being done, and how it benefits us all.”

The minister reminded Nigerians that real change requires patience, sacrifice, and unity.

Idris urged,”And we must stay informed so we can not only hold our leaders accountable, but also support policies that are truly in our national interest.

“Therefore, I urge you all to at end of this session help spread this program to your families, neighbours, and communities by engaging with them, and together we can build a Nigeria where we all can be proud of.”

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In his remarks, the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, represented the Controller of Works in Niger, Mr Eyitayo Aluko, reeled out various road projects being executed by the Federal Government in Niger.

According to him, they include the dualisation of the Ilorin to Jebba to Mokwa and Lambata to Lapai roads, among others.

Umahi said that Tinubu was unwaveringly committed to ramping up road infrastructure in the state.

Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Niger Coordinator of Agriculture, Dr Suleiman Ladan, described the event a very crucial, commending Idris for convening it.

He said that the event would give an opportunity to appraise Federal
Government’s policies and programmes and their impacts on the lives of Nigerians.

Abdullahi added that significant projects and programmes had been successfully implemented by the Tinubu’s administration with a view to boosting food security in the country.

(NAN)