The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has commended the level of free press in Nigeria, despite occasional challenges, especially under President Tinubu, who is a staunch advocate for press freedom and the protection of Nigeria’s civic space.
The Minister who stated this at the 2024 Annual Conference of the International Press Institute, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, also said there was a need to strengthen the profession while at the same time building the nation and its fledgling democracy.
“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 organisations 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”, he said.
The Minister added that 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.
“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.
Idris, however, emphasised that the civic space is not solely about freedoms but also about responsibilities, including showing respect and accommodation to all stakeholders.
“It is about understanding that for every right there is a corresponding responsibility, and that freedom does not come unbridled. It is knowing that media freedom involves knowing and acknowledging the immense power that the press wields, as shapers and molders of public opinion and the permanent public record, and not abusing this power,” he said.
The Minister urged the media should create room for healthy debate and not demonise those with contrary opinions or views.
“At the same time, there is ample room for holding institutions to account, whether public or private. And yes, those elected and appointed to public office must always understand that they keep these offices in trust for the people, and owe it to these owners to be accountable at all times. These truths can and must all coexist, if we want to forge a stronger democracy, as the foundation for the strong and prosperous Nigeria of our dreams,” he said.
While speaking on the economy, the Minister disclosed that Nigeria is on the verge of fundamental economic reform, anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda – a deliberate and comprehensive recalibration of a long-neglected system geared towards economic diversification, human capital development, infrastructure, innovation, competitiveness, and inclusive growth.
He said: “the proposed tax reform initiative of the President is envisioned to simplify Nigeria’s existing tax regimes and make compliance easier, while also reducing the tax burden on the most vulnerable Nigerians. A recurring highlight of the reform is the introduction of several new tax exemptions, that will benefit various categories of individuals and businesses. The ongoing tax reforms would complement broader macroeconomic reforms aimed at driving Nigeria’s economic transformation”, he said.
According to the Minister, these funds are now financing high-impact initiatives such as physical and digital infrastructure, student loans and stipends, low-cost consumer credit, agricultural production, and targeted social investment programmes.
The International Press Institute, 2024 Annual conference is with the theme “Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting the Nigerian Civic Space”.
Dominica Nwabufo
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