The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has intensified his push for a significant increase in funding for the Federal Ministry of Information and its agencies in the 2026 national budget, warning that poor budgetary releases are crippling government efforts to adequately inform Nigerians about key policies and programmes. Idris made the appeal on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, during a joint budget defence session with members of the National Assembly at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, where he presented the ministry’s 2026 proposal before lawmakers.
Addressing members of the Senate and House Committees on Information and National Orientation, the minister stressed that effective public communication remains central to governance, national unity, and citizen engagement. According to him, the Ministry plays a frontline role in communicating the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, particularly the Renewed Hope Agenda, economic reforms, and social intervention programmes. “If Nigerians are not adequately informed about government policies, misinformation and disinformation will thrive. Communication is not optional; it is fundamental to democracy,” Idris told lawmakers. He noted that agencies under the ministry, including the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and Voice of Nigeria (VON) — require urgent upgrades in infrastructure, transmission equipment, and digital platforms to compete in the rapidly evolving media landscape. During the session, Idris disclosed that in the 2025 fiscal year, the ministry received only about ₦205 million out of its approved ₦2.49 billion capital allocation, a situation he described as deeply constraining.
Lawmakers reacted with concern, noting that the low level of fund releases has left many projects abandoned, including studio modernization, transmitter rehabilitation, and digitization initiatives across broadcast stations nationwide. Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Olushola Fatoba, described the funding situation as unsustainable, especially at a time when Nigeria faces increasing challenges related to fake news, online misinformation, and public distrust. “The Ministry of Information is the voice of the government. Starving it of funds weakens the entire communication structure of the nation,” Fatoba said during the deliberations in Abuja. In a significant development, the Joint Committee resolved to seek direct engagement with President Tinubu to press for improved allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Bill currently under consideration. A senior lawmaker present at the meeting confirmed that the leadership of the National Assembly plans to formally meet the President before the budget is finalised to advocate for a substantial upward review.
The 2026 fiscal year, lawmakers argued, is critical for consolidating ongoing economic reforms and stabilisation policies, making strategic communication more important than ever. Beyond traditional broadcasting, Idris highlighted the expanding responsibilities of the ministry under the national orientation framework. He explained that the government is intensifying campaigns to educate citizens on tax reforms, social investment programmes, anti-corruption initiatives, security awareness efforts, civic responsibility, and national unity. He stressed that grassroots engagement through town hall meetings, media campaigns, and digital outreach requires predictable and adequate funding. The minister also outlined plans to reposition government media platforms through digital innovation. According to him, agencies like the Voice of Nigeria are seeking to expand Nigeria’s global narrative, counter negative international perceptions, and strengthen diplomatic communication. Similarly, NTA and FRCN are pursuing modernization efforts to improve signal coverage in rural communities, particularly in underserved areas across Northern Nigeria and riverine communities in the Niger Delta. Media analysts in Abuja say the funding debate reflects broader questions about the government’s communication strategy. While critics argue that public broadcasters must become more financially independent, supporters maintain that national broadcasters perform public service roles that require federal backing. With the 2026 budget still undergoing legislative scrutiny, negotiations between the Executive and National Assembly are expected to continue in the coming weeks. If the proposed increase is approved, it could mark one of the most significant funding boosts for the Ministry of Information in recent years, a move supporters say is essential to strengthening democratic engagement and combating misinformation.
