The Federal Government has called on Nigerian youths to use digital technology with discipline and a strong sense of responsibility, warning that the spread of false information poses a serious moral and national challenge.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the warning on Saturday while speaking at the 20th Joint Ramadan Lecture organised by the Nigerian Television Authority, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, and Voice of Nigeria in Kaduna.

He cautioned that the misuse of digital platforms could deepen division and undermine national unity if not guided by truth and responsibility.

According to him, false information has become a growing concern in the digital age, making verification a civic and moral duty for all citizens, especially young people.

“Verify before you amplify. Pause. Interrogate the source,” the Minister said, urging Nigerians to think carefully before sharing content online.

Idris noted that while digital technology offers huge opportunities for learning, innovation and economic growth, it also presents moral tests that require discipline and accountability.

He highlighted several youth-focused initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at leveraging technology for economic empowerment. These include the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and the establishment of Africa’s first Media and Information Literacy Institute.

“Media literacy is the vaccine against misinformation,” he said, explaining that the programmes are designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.

The Minister described Nigeria’s youthful population as one of its greatest strengths but warned that the country’s future depends on how well young people are guided and supported.

“A nation that fails its youth has no future. We are systematically investing in an ecosystem where digital technology becomes a ladder of opportunity,” he stated.

Idris also noted Nigeria’s designation by UNESCO as the host of Africa’s first Media and Information Literacy Institute, describing it as a major milestone that will strengthen citizens’ critical thinking skills and help them resist digital manipulation and information disorder.

He stressed that protecting the nation’s moral and information space is a shared responsibility. He therefore called on parents, teachers, religious leaders, media practitioners and the youth to work together to build a digitally empowered but morally grounded society.

Idris also urged Nigerians to see faith and ptatriotism as complementary, adding that responsible citizenship and spiritual consciousness should guide engagement in the digital space.