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Mohammed Idris: Meet Nigeria’s new Information Minister

Mohammed Idris Malagi

Mohammed Idris Malagi, born on May 2nd, 1966, in Gbako local government of Niger State, is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s media and public relations industry. He received his primary education at Kontagora from 1971 to 1977 and earned his degree from GSS Rijau in 1982. Mohammed Idris Malagi furthered his education at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, graduating with an English degree in 1987. He later earned a master’s degree in the same field from Bayero University Kano in 1995.

A seasoned media entrepreneur, Mohammed Idris Malagi is the founder, Chairman, and CEO of the Blueprint newspaper, launched in May 2011. He has been Chairman of the Bifocal Group and Chairman and Lead Consultant of Bifocal Communications Limited, a top-tier public relations company, since 1996. In 2019, he owned Kings Broadcasting Network, the parent company of WE 106.5 FM in Abuja.

As an active political leader, Mohammed Idris Malagi contested the Niger State governorship in 2023 as a member of the All Progressives Congress, receiving 154 votes, but was defeated by Umar Bago, who received 386 votes. Mohammed Idris Malagi was then selected to serve as the director of strategic communications for the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

Mohammed Idris Malagi’s professional success and generosity earned him the traditional title of Kakaaki Nupe, conferred by Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe. The Nigeria Union of Journalists also awarded him the Milestone Recognition Media Icons in Nigeria on December 8th, 2022.

In his impressive career, Malagi has led initiatives such as the development and implementation of the Training Guide for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) from 2009 to 2011 and served as Communications Consultant for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2017 to 2021. He also facilitated the Strategic Communications Guidelines for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development from 2019 to 2022.

Mohammed Idris Malagi’s roles include serving as Editor-in-Chief of The Market; Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Kaduna State Chapter; and Vice Chairman of the Public Relations Consultative Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).

Most recently, Mohammed Idris Malagi was appointed Minister of Information and National Orientation by Nigeria’s president, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu.