The Federal Government has insisted that there is no policy — formal or informal — aimed at repressing the media under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, declaring that the government remains committed to press freedom, democratic accountability and global standards of media independence.
This was contained in a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the clarification at the 2025 International Press Institute (IPI) Annual Congress and General Meeting held in Abuja.
Idris described the media as “the central nervous system of any democracy, and the amplifier of citizens’ voices,” noting that Vice President Kashim Shettima’s presence at the event reflected the administration’s openness to continuous engagement with journalists.
Addressing the theme, “Addressing Media Repression in Nigeria,” Idris argued that concerns often stem from historical experiences rather than present realities.
He maintained that the Tinubu administration had shown neither hostility nor aggression towards the media and emphasised that discussions about press freedom must remain fact-based.
He said: “There is no government policy, formal or informal, that seeks to repress the media today.
“A dialogue on freedom must be grounded in fact. If anyone claims there is an active policy of repression today, we should test that claim against the evidence.”
The minister explained that security agencies now operate under stricter protocols to safeguard journalists, especially during protests and in areas of heightened tension.
He stressed that regulatory bodies have maintained a predictable environment that enables news organisations to function without fear or interference. “A free press is indispensable. Journalists must be able to work without intimidation or interference, and this government has been consistent on that point,” he added.
Citing an example, Idris referenced a recent situation where a major newspaper falsely reported that Nigeria had signed an agreement compelling the country to adopt LGBTQ+ rights.
He said that despite the sensitive nature of the report, the government opted for openness rather than confrontation. According to him, the administration responded by publishing the full agreement, issuing clarifications and engaging the public through transparent channels instead of resorting to pressure or sanctions.
The statement further revealed that Nigeria has been selected to host the Regional Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute for Africa, which will train journalists, educators and the public on ethical journalism, fact-checking and combating disinformation.
Idris stressed that the Institute would be a neutral, knowledge-driven platform designed to strengthen democratic information systems across the continent, with a formal launch slated for the first quarter of 2026.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate closely with IPI Nigeria, the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigeria Union of Journalists to modernise media regulation in line with international standards while balancing free expression with public interest concerns.
Idris said: “Our shared duty is not only to challenge repression but to expand freedom. Let us strengthen the foundations of our democracy by protecting the freedoms that sustain it.”
