Several journalists were denied entry to the Tiwa Savage Music Foundation launch in Lagos on Monday because they did not wear branded T-shirts provided by the event organisers.
The launch, which took place at The Delborough Lagos, drew a mix of celebrities, business figures, and political leaders, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mo Abudu, Don Jazzy, Bose Ogulu, Layal Holm, Florence Ita-Giwa, Shade Okoya, and Darey Art Alade with his wife, Deola.
Reporters who had been invited to cover the event were asked to complete accreditation outside the venue, under public view. They were told access would only be granted if they wore the official T-shirts.
When the organisers ran out of shirts, security at the venue turned journalists away, including those from Channels, The Guardian, New Telegraph, and some video content creators, even though they had proper press credentials. Some reporters agreed to wear the shirts to gain entry, while others refused.
ALSO READ:
The arrangement caused frustration among journalists, with many questioning the need to wear promotional clothing while covering an official event.
Protests by the press eventually led organisers to drop the T-shirt requirement, but tensions inside the venue continued.
Reporters faced difficulties moving through the crowd on the red carpet as celebrities arrived, and competition from social media creators added to the chaos.
Some journalists eventually left the event, calling the treatment disrespectful.
ThisDay journalist, Yinka Olatunbosun wrote on her Facebook page:
“Invited and Disgraced: Tiwa Savage and her team should do better. We were turned back for not wearing a branded t-shirt as a requirement for entry. Our press tags were not enough to enter the venue. We are journalists, not marketers. #TiwaSavage #TheDelborough.”
The Tiwa Savage Music Foundation was launched to support young people pursuing careers in music and the creative arts. The organisers have not commented publicly on the controversy over the T-shirt policy.
