The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed that despite occasional challenges, the press remains largely free in Nigeria, especially under President Tinubu, a staunch advocate for press freedom and the protection of Nigeria’s civic space.
The Minister stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at the 2024 Annual Conference of the International Press Institute with the theme “Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting the Nigerian Civic Space”.
“Now I am not saying that there have not been challenges and threats here and there, but on the whole, Nigeria has enjoyed an openness and freedom that has seen the welcome proliferation of press organizations across print, broadcast, and digital media.
“Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May of 2023, and since I assumed office as Minister of Information and National Orientation in August of that year, we have asserted and reiterated our commitment to ensuring and expanding the freedom of the Nigerian press. Every time there has appeared to be a threat to this freedom, I have personally taken it upon myself to ensure that due process prevails and that the fundamental rights of the press are respected.
“The President is a firm believer in media freedom and the protection of Nigeria’s civic space. Not only has he been a media entrepreneur himself, but he has also earned himself a place in history as one of the champions of the pro-democracy movement that saw the permanent end to military rule in Nigeria,” he said.
The minister said President Tinubu places a high premium on reforming and strengthening the judiciary in order to guarantee the existence and protection of fundamental rights that define the proper functioning of Nigeria’s civic space, including freedom of speech, freedom of association, and other constitutionally enshrined liberties.
Idris, however, emphasized that the civic space is not solely about freedoms but also about responsibilities, including showing respect and accommodation to all stakeholders.
Similarly, the chairman of the IPI Board of Trustees, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, urged journalists to remain steadfast in defending press freedom. “Freedom is like health—you only realize its value when it is lost. Protecting press freedom is vital not just for journalism but for society as a whole,” he said.
Yusuf underscored the role of journalism in amplifying marginalized voices and safeguarding democracy. Citing a recent case in which detained protesters were released following media advocacy, he reminded attendees of the press’s ability to promote justice and accountability.
Also speaking, former Director Deneral of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Prof. Tony Iredia, urged journalists to embrace the agenda-setting role of the media, uphold ethical values, and move beyond superficial reporting.
“The media must focus not just on informing but also on educating. It should adopt a follow-up approach, work collaboratively with the public, and apply principled journalism to advance society,” he said.
He furthermore called for a collective action to protect press freedom, promote accountability, and ensure that the media continues to serve as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democracy.
