United Nations Information Centre (UNIC)

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) for Nigeria was established in Lagos on 29 May 1967 based on UN General Assembly resolution of 13 (I) of 13 February 1946 that created the Department of Public Information (DPI) in the UN Secretariat in New York. UNICs are the branch offices of the Department in Member States.

The mandate of DPI includes, among others, 1) promotion of an informed understanding of the work and purposes of the United Nations among the peoples of the world; 2) establishment of policies and procedures for public information services in the Untied Nations; 3) planning and coordination of information activities related to the priority issues and special events of the United Nations; 4) provision of information about the activities of the United Nations to media organisations; 5) provision of communications services to the Secretary-General and senior officials; 6) production of information materials related to the work and purposes of the United Nations; 7) maintenance of relations with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for wide distribution of information about the United Nations; 8) monitoring of trends in public opinion and the media regarding the work of the United Nations; and 9) encouragement and promotion of teaching about the United Nations.

Thus, the UN information centres make constant efforts to reach the right audience with the right information at the right time with the use of up-to-date information on developments that they receive from UN Headquarters in New York and UN offices worldwide. The information is often used to supplement the news on wire services available to the local media. In partnership with UN agencies, non-governmental organisations and the wider civil society, the Centres promote knowledge and interest of NGOs and civil society institutions in major UN conferences and meetings, and encourage them to take part in these fora.

In Nigeria, UNIC Lagos focuses on strengthening collaboration with federal, state and local authorities, the media, NGOs and academia to highlight the work of the United Nations and the themes of various UN observances. UNIC also regularly organises briefing sessions for schools/colleges and universities on the work and achievements of the United Nations and its family of organisations. With a view to reaching out to a wider public in the country, the Centre translates important UN documents into four local languages, i.e. Igbo, Hausa, Pidgin English and Yoruba. UNIC produces media advisories, press releases, and produces the monthly UN Newsletter on behalf of the UN System in Nigeria that illustrates the collaboration of the UN agencies in the country "delivering as One".