Following a capacity-building workshop for media executives in North-West Nigeria, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Media Awareness and Information for All Network (MAIN) have concluded the event with the establishment of the Nigeria MIL Media Executives Network (NiMMEN).
The workshop, which focused on integrating Media and Information Literacy (MIL) into editorial policies and guidelines, culminated in the creation of NiMMEN as a strategic outcome to promote MIL principles across media organisations in Nigeria.
To lead the network, participants unanimously nominated Mallam Abba Zayyan, General Manager of Katsina State Television (KTTV), as Interim National Coordinator. Zayyan brings over 30 years of experience in the broadcast industry, having held various roles including Zonal Director at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). He holds multiple degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in Education Technology, Mass Communication, International Affairs, Diplomacy, and International Relations.
UNESCO’s representative, Ms. Yachat Nuhu, described the network’s formation as a strategic step toward ensuring editorial policies that foster information integrity. “We want media executives on board as we work toward a media space free from misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech,” she said, assuring continued technical support from UNESCO.
In his acceptance remarks, Mallam Zayyan thanked UNESCO, MAIN, and the workshop participants for the confidence placed in him, pledging to champion MIL advocacy nationwide. MAIN Chairman, Prof. Jide Jimoh, congratulated the participants and commended Zayyan for accepting the leadership role.
