The Federal Government has called on communication professionals and public relations practitioners to deploy truth-based communication strategies in countering the false narrative of the alleged genocide against Christians being peddled by some foreign interests.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call at the National Unveiling of the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF 2026) held on Monday in Abuja.

Idris warned that Nigeria faces serious reputational and existential threats from coordinated disinformation campaigns aimed at portraying the country as a hostile environment for certain religious groups.
“We must come to terms with existential reputational threats to our national brand, in which external purveyors of untruth are mischaracterising our nation as a destination for a so-called persecution of people based on their faith.
“This is propaganda externally woven by those who want to weaken our unity. For the umpteenth time, I am emphatic that there’s no iota of truth in the claim of a ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria,” he said.

The Minister noted that such narratives are not only false but also dangerous, as they are designed to sow division and undermine national cohesion.

He therefore urged practitioners to take the lead in promoting fact-based storytelling about Nigeria.
“I therefore urge us to use the instruments of public relations, crafted in truth and facts, to vehemently reject these despicable single narratives about Nigeria,” Idris said.
He described responsible communication as a national duty, especially in the digital era, where misinformation travels faster than reflection.
“Words now travel faster than thought, and opinions often outrun truth. We must therefore be guided by truth, empathy, and service to the public good,” he observed.

Linking the message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister said effective communication remains central to rebuilding public trust in governance.
“The Renewed Hope vision seeks to rebuild trust between government and the people, trust anchored on openness, engagement, and shared purpose. Communication is the lifeblood of that trust,” he added.

Idris also described Nigeria’s hosting of the World Public Relations Forum 2026 as a testament to the country’s leadership in global communication ethics.
“Today’s gathering is a bold statement that under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria is stepping forward as the biggest, brightest, and boldest voice for ethical and responsible communication in Africa and beyond,” he said.

Reaffirming President Tinubu’s message to the international community, Idris said:
“You have no better friend and partner than Nigeria.”

The Minister therefore urged communication professionals, journalists, and public officers to uphold truth and integrity in their work.
“To practitioners: hold the line of truth. To the media: inform with integrity. To public officers: communicate with transparency. To citizens: speak with empathy,” he stated.