Abuja, Nigeria - September 26, 2025 The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has urged Nigerians to use social media as a tool for unity, accountability, and development. Idris said this at the September Lunch Time Seminar organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in Abuja. The theme of the seminar was “National Rebirth in Digital Era: Navigating the Information Conundrum—Challenges, Strategies and Best Practices for Effective Information Management in the Age of Social Media.” Represented by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Public Communication and National Orientation at the ministry, Idris said social media presents both opportunities and challenges in an era where information spreads rapidly and shapes perceptions. Mr Dasuki Arabi, the Director-General of BPSR, said effective information management could strengthen or weaken institutions. He said the Bureau had developed a communication strategy to promote accountability and responsible information use in the public service. Arabi identified challenges such as misinformation, information overload and cybersecurity threats. He recommended digital literacy, fact-checking, and the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain to address them. He also commended Malam Jibrin Ndace, Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), for repositioning Nigeria’s image through expanded digital broadcasting and multilingual news services. Ndace, in his remarks, said social media strongly influences a country’s image, urging Nigerians to be mindful of their online presence and avoid negative comments that could undermine the nation. “By working together and being mindful of the information we share, we can contribute to the development and progress of our country,” he said. In an interview, Ndace said the public service must promote media literacy and understand the impact of social media on the country’s image. "My focus in this discussion has been largely on the need for us to understand that we are in a digital age and that we have no choice, the age of social media is here. It's a collective responsibility. "We must understand that we are in a changing environment and the public service must embrace that. We must work together collectively. We must celebrate what Nigerians are doing well at home and abroad. "We must own our country. We must own the public service. We must embrace reform. We must also embrace media literacy," he said. The VON boss further highlighted the role of public media institutions—VON, NTA, FRCN and NAN—in promoting government programmes and urged Nigerians to work with them. "Public media institutions like VON, NTA, FRCN, and the NAN are funded by taxpayers' money, so we should follow them and let them be part of whatever we are doing. "We are not saying Nigeria is perfect, but we are saying that a lot is happening both in the public service and in other sectors of Nigeria. "Nigerians are doing well at home and abroad. We must celebrate that. We must not allow ourselves to be used as an instrument of denigrating and bringing down our country," he said.