The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation under the Tinubu government plans to spend N138,066,187 to tackle fake news and print calendars, according to details in the 2024 Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly.
The funds will also be used for ministers’ media appearances, interactions with social media influencers, and a special enlightenment campaign on government programs.
An additional N24.5 million is designated for awareness on various issues, including fake news, hate speech, farmers-herders clashes, banditry, and rape.
The budget breakdown includes N40 million for calendar creation, N30 million for international media relations, N20.7 million for media engagement by ministers and influencers, and N21.7 million for social media platform development and networking.
The initiative follows a previous campaign against fake news launched by former Minister Lai Mohammed under President Buhari’s administration.