The Federal Government has urged international media organisations to highlight the positive narrative in Nigeria, instead of dwelling on the negatives.

The government stressed the importance of global houses understanding the socio-political and cultural contexts of the regions they report on.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call during a working visit to the BBC headquarters in London.

According to a statement signed by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Tuesday, the minister’s visit is part of broader efforts by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to build bridges with both foreign and local media organisations.

Idris, during his meeting with senior BBC executives, including the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of BBC News and Director of the BBC World Service, Jonathan Munro, praised the media house for being a key narrator of Nigeria’s political journey, but also called for more balanced reporting.

“The media plays an indispensable role in shaping the right narratives, fostering understanding, and driving development, and as such, it is incumbent on media houses with global reach to deepen their understanding of the socio-political, economic, and cultural characteristics of the societies they report on,” he noted.

He urged the BBC to highlight Nigeria’s progress and successes, particularly by focusing on stories that inspire hope and emphasise positive outcomes in the country.

“Nigeria has a flourishing youth population with uncommon zeal to seize positive opportunities even in the face of immense challenges, a situation that warrants more emphasis on positive outcomes in Nigeria,” Idris posited.