Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reassured Nigerians that no media organisation has faced threats, closures, or censorship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 12, in Abuja at the All Nigeria Editors Conference, Idris said press freedom remains a cornerstone of the government’s vision for a prosperous Nigeria.
“Central to this vision of a prosperous Nigeria is an environment where free speech and a dynamic media can thrive.
“I stand before you today to affirm that under President Tinubu’s leadership, we have nurtured an unprecedentedly egalitarian media ecosystem,” he said.
He noted that over 1,000 licensed radio and television stations operate across the country without interference from the government.
“With over 1,000 licensed radio and television stations operating across the nation, it is significant to note that not a single one has been threatened, gagged, or shut down by the government for expressing dissent.
“This is not a coincidence but a conscious commitment to the constitutional principles of press freedom,” Idris added.
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Idris also highlighted Nigeria’s growing international recognition, pointing out that the country will host the International Media and Information Literacy Institute, an event connecting Nigeria to global media expertise.
“The prestigious event will connect Nigeria to media-literate dynamics from across the world, with our Ministry poised to leverage this platform to showcase our nation’s progress,” he said.
He encouraged editors to see themselves as partners in national development, saying, “The government of President Tinubu has demonstrated its faith in you through its actions, not just its words.
“We invite you to engage, to critique constructively, and to report with the responsibility that this moment in our history demands.
“Let us work together to tell the Nigerian story with balance, with truth, and with an unyielding belief in the promise of our great nation.”
Idris emphasised that the Tinubu administration recognises independent media as a critical pillar of democracy, stating that a free press is not an adversary but a foundation for lasting governance and national progress.