“Invest in Media, Not Just Mosques” — Pantami Urges Northern Muslims to Address Strategic Communication Gap
Renowned Islamic scholar and cybersecurity expert, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has issued a strong call to the Northern Muslim community to prioritise strategic investment in the media industry, warning that decades of underinvestment have created what he described as a “dangerous communication deficit.”
PRNigeria reports that the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy made the call at a lecture at ICECE AL-Noor Mosque Abuja.
He argued that while Northern Nigeria and the Muslim community frequently dominate national conversations, they rarely control the platforms that shape those narratives.
According to him, this imbalance has left the region vulnerable to misrepresentation and external framing.
Pantami highlighted what he described as a structural imbalance in Nigeria’s broadcast ecosystem. He observed that most major privately owned television networks are headquartered in Southern Nigeria, while federal presence through the National Television Authority (NTA) alone cannot sufficiently project diverse regional perspectives.
“He who owns the platform often sets the agenda,” Pantami stated, stressing that ownership of credible, far-reaching media institutions is not merely a commercial venture but a strategic necessity.
While acknowledging the existence of numerous radio and television stations in the North, he noted that many are primarily local in scope and broadcast predominantly in Hausa, limiting their ability to influence national and international discourse.
Pantami also criticised what he described as the misdirection of some regional media outlets. Rather than focusing on developmental issues such as insecurity, education reform, industrial revitalisation, entrepreneurship and trade, he said some platforms have drifted into partisan conflicts, sectarian debates and sensational content with little long-term value.
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He warned that such practices weaken credibility and squander opportunities to reshape public perception.
Drawing inspiration from international broadcasters such as Al-Jazeera, Pantami proposed the establishment of a professionally run, globally competitive media institution capable of broadcasting in English, French and other major languages.
He emphasised that such an outlet must adhere to principles of fairness, justice and professionalism.
“Islam is fundamentally a religion of justice,” he said, adding that any faith-affiliated media platform must avoid propaganda and instead promote balanced reporting, amplify marginalised voices and uphold ethical standards.
In what many observers described as the most striking part of his address, Pantami challenged wealthy individuals and philanthropists in Northern Nigeria to reconsider their spending priorities.
He argued that while the construction of places of worship remains important, excessive duplication without strategic planning could divert resources from equally critical investments such as media infrastructure, education and innovation.
“If we do not invest in telling our own story with credibility and professionalism, others will continue to define us,” he warned.
Pantami cautioned that failure to address the communication gap could lead to persistent mischaracterisation of the region on the global stage.
He concluded by urging veteran journalists, media entrepreneurs, academics and business leaders across Northern Nigeria to collaborate on building a credible, well-funded and technologically advanced media institution capable of competing globally.
“This is not merely a recommendation,” he said. “It is a necessity for any community that seeks to shape its future rather than be defined by others.”
PRNigeria reports that the address adds momentum to ongoing debates about narrative control, strategic communication and media ownership within Nigeria’s evolving information landscape.
By PRNigeria
