The Federal Government has urged greater care in the use of language across security operations, media reporting, and public discourse, warning that vague or misleading definitions can deepen divisions and erode national unity.
The call was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, at a conference organized by the White Ink Institute for Strategy, Education, and Research Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
The event, themed ‘Contextualizing Definitions and Terminologies to Address Stereotyping and Ethnic Profiling in Discourses and Security Operations in West Africa,’ focused on how language shapes perception and can either inflame or reduce bias. He was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Dili Ezughah.
Director, Press and Protocol at the Ministry, Suleiman Haruna quotes the minister: “Definitions are not neutral. They carry weight. They influence how communities are perceived and treated. “When definitions are careless or inaccurate, they can reinforce stereotypes, deepen divisions and create mistrust between citizens and the institutions meant to protect them.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s diversity makes it critical to use language thoughtfully, especially in addressing security concerns, warning against linking criminal acts to ethnic or religious identities. “We must promote accuracy in language. We must also ensure that individuals are held accountable for their actions without generalizing blame to entire groups. “We must distinguish clearly between criminal behavior and identity,” he noted.
Highlighting efforts under President Bola Tinubu, Idris pointed to initiatives aimed at rebuilding trust and strengthening unity, including the National Values Charter.
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“The charter provides a clear framework outlining the government’s responsibilities to citizens and citizens’ responsibilities to the nation. “Its purpose is simple, to rebuild trust and create a common understanding of what it means to be Nigerian,” Idris said.
He added that the National Orientation Agency is driving campaigns nationwide to promote responsible citizenship, counter harmful narratives, and encourage unity, alongside engagement programmes designed to improve relations between the public and government.
On security, the minister stated that the government is reinforcing its security framework to address threats such as terrorism, banditry, and organized crime, noting that a phased plan for state policing has been developed.
“A comprehensive framework proposes a carefully phased transition to a decentralized policing system over 60 months,” he said, adding that “strong safeguards have been embedded to prevent political misuse,” he said.
He also referenced Nigeria’s collaboration with international partners on intelligence sharing, capacity building, and counterterrorism, while cautioning against misrepresentations of the country globally.
“While challenges exist, they do not define our country. Nigeria remains a place where different religious groups coexist and where the government continues to take steps to strengthen inclusion and fairness,” he affirmed.
The minister urged journalists to uphold professionalism, especially in the fast-paced digital era.
“Reporting must be responsible, verified and sensitive to context. The consequences of misinformation or careless framing can be severe,” he said.
He further called for stronger regional collaboration across West Africa to promote communication practices that support both security and social cohesion. He stressed that true security goes beyond physical protection and must be rooted in trust, fairness, and shared values.
“Security is not only about protecting territory. It is about protecting people, their dignity and their sense of belonging. “That trust begins with fairness, in action, in policy, and in language,” Idris added.
Concerns are rising that some security incidents, including terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes, are being inaccurately associated with specific ethnic or religious groups, fueling mistrust and social tension.
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