Nigeria has confirmed its acceptance to host the inaugural meeting of the African bloc of National Committees of the International Press Institute (IPI), a move praised as a testament to the country’s leadership in press freedom and democratic governance.
This was contained in a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Sunday, October 26, 2025.
The statement reads partly: “Nigeria agrees to host the maiden meeting of the African bloc. It is a great honour for us to lead as we always do.”
The Minister recalled that Nigeria successfully hosted the IPI World Congress and General Assembly in Abuja in 2018, adding that the country “is ready for another world-class hosting.”
Although no date has been fixed for the meeting, Mr. Griffen disclosed that the IPI Secretariat in Vienna will work out the details with Mr. Adedoyin and the IPI Nigeria National Committee.
Chairman of the IPI Executive Board, Mr. Gergely, acknowledged that Nigeria is a leading light in democratic governance with a free press.
During a weekend meeting in Vienna, Austria, with IPI leadership, Minister Mohammed Idris engaged the IPI Executive Board and Secretariat, including Chairman Mr. Marton Gergely, Executive Director Mr. Scott Griffen, and Nigerian Board Member Mr. Raheem Adedoyin, on hosting arrangements and strategic collaboration.
The Minister also highlighted the ongoing efforts of the IPI Nigeria National Committee to seek technical support for the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos, recalling that the institution was founded by IPI in 1971 under the presidency of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande. He noted that its governing board is currently chaired by IPI leader and former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
The Nigerian delegation at the Congress included Board Member Raheem Adedoyin, IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed, former Presidential Spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, and other distinguished media and academic professionals.
