The Federal Government (FG) has reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom and democratic accountability, stating that there is no media repression under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the assertion yesterday at the 2025 International Press Institute (IPI) Annual Congress and General Meeting at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
The event was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, whose presence the Minister noted as a clear demonstration of the government’s openness to engagement with the press.
Responding directly to the conference theme, “Addressing Media Repression in Nigeria,” Minister Idris stressed the importance of separating historical experiences from the current administration’s reality.
“Let me state clearly that there is no government policy, formal or informal, that seeks to repress the media today,” the minister said, adding that available evidence reflects restraint and cooperation rather than hostility.
He challenged any claim of an active policy of repression to be tested against the evidence.
The minister confirmed that security agencies now operate under stricter protocols to ensure the safety of journalists, especially during protests and in conflict-prone areas, and regulatory bodies continue to maintain a fair environment for media organisations.
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He called the media the “central nervous system of any democracy, and the amplifier of citizens’ voices.”
Idris cited a recent incident in which a major newspaper published a false report alleging that Nigeria had signed an agreement requiring the adoption of LGBTQ+ rights.
He explained that instead of resorting to coercion, the government chose transparency over confrontation by publishing the full text of the agreement, issuing factual clarifications and engaging the public openly and lodged complaints through the independent media ombudsman.
“We did not apply pressure or coercive measures. We chose facts,” he noted, stating that this demonstrated the government’s commitment to transparency and dialogue.
The minister also announced a major development in the information sector: Nigeria has been selected to host the Regional Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute for Africa.
Scheduled for a formal launch in the first quarter of 2026, the Centre will train journalists, educators, and citizens on ethical reporting, fact-checking, and combating disinformation within African cultural contexts.
Idris emphasised that the Institute will operate as a neutral, knowledge-based platform, not a government mouthpiece.
The government pledged to work closely with IPI Nigeria and other media bodies to modernise regulatory frameworks, aiming to balance free expression with the public interest.
