The Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue Foundation (MILID Foundation), in partnership with UNESCO Nigeria and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, held a workshop on media and information literacy for youth organisations in the Southwest.
The workshop brought together fourteen youth organisations from the southwest states in Lagos.
Themed: The Role of Media and Information Literacy for Youth in the Democratic Process, the workshop equipped participants with competencies to navigate the challenges of media and communication technology, to think critically, and engage responsibly in digital spaces.
It featured sessions on MIL and Democracy, MIL and Conflict, MIL and Gender-Based Violence, Infusing MIL into Content Creation, Fact-checking, and Verification.
Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, a professor at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, took participants on MIL and gender-based violence, while Prof Suraj Olunifesi of the same department took participants on MIL, Artificial Intelligence and Conflict.
In his keynote address, Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, who was represented by Obadare Adenekan, the state youth ambassador, remarked that the theme of the workshop speaks directly to the heartbeat of youth empowerment in our democratic journey.
“It recognises the power of informed young people and the urgent need to equip them with the tools to critically navigate the media space, distinguish truth from falsehood, and use information responsibly,” Mr Ogunlende said.
He urged participants to take the knowledge beyond the workshop. “Let it guide your posts, your projects, and your platforms. Use media to advocate, not agitate. Use your voice to build, not break. Above all, use information as a tool for truth, justice, and nation-building.”
With support from UNESCO Nigeria, MILID Foundation has held similar capacity-building workshops in the Northwest and Southeast of the country, with plans to reach all geopolitical zones of the country.
Speaking on the rationale for supporting such initiatives, the communication and information sector coordinator, UNESCO Nigeria, Yachat Nuhu, noted that “by integrating MIL into the policies and strategies of youth organisations, we are taking a proactive step toward fostering informed, responsible, and engaged young citizens.”
Ms Nuhu added that young people are among the most active participants in the digital space, where political discourse, election campaigns, and civic engagement increasingly take place. Hence, UNESCO’s interest in equipping them with the tools to safeguard freedom of expression, promote human rights, contribute to peaceful societies, and sustainable development.
According to MILID Foundation, the Southwest workshop is part of a broader initiative to strengthen media and information literacy across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
“We are taking this workshop to every zone of the country to build the capacity of young people, as well as organisations working with youth, around media and information literacy,” said Chiamaka Okafor, Executive Director MILID Foundation, adding that “our goal is to help them understand the importance of developing critical thinking, fact-checking skills, and the ability to responsibly create content.”
“We are pleased to be in Lagos for the Southwest edition of this workshop. With the local council elections just days away, we believe this is a timely and strategic intervention to prepare young people for informed and responsible civic participation,” she noted.
Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adesegun Ogundeji, emphasised the importance of verifying information as it helps in decision-making and strengthening the democratic process.
He emphasised the state’s willingness to support initiatives that prioritise media and information literacy education.
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Rofiat Ileyemi, a participant from Lagos State, noted that attending the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) training was an eye-opening experience.
“I gained a deeper understanding of how powerful media and information can be in shaping opinions and how important it is to verify information before sharing. The sessions were practical and engaging, and teamwork was also an experience I can’t forget,” she said.
Another participant, Deborah Fayanju, from Ondo State, described her experience as enriching and broadening her understanding of Media and Information Literacy’s critical role in democracy, gender-based violence, content creation, and social advocacy.
Apart from representatives of youth organisations in the Southwest, the advocacy workshop had students from the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos.
