Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors to see themselves as strategic partners in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to rebuild and renew the nation with far-reaching reforms.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the Minister said the Tinubu administration values the media as a central institution in sustaining democracy and advancing national progress.
He emphasised that the Tinubu administration holds the media in high esteem as a central pillar in strengthening democratic governance and advancing national development.
“As you deliberate, I charge you to see yourselves as essential partners in this national renewal. 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”, the Minister said.
He tasked the editors to continue telling the Nigerian story with balance, truth, and optimism, adding that the media must remain a channel of national cohesion and a pillar of public enlightenment.
“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,” he added.
The Minister stressed that under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria has maintained an open and egalitarian media environment, noting that over 1,000 radio and television stations now operate freely across the country without intimidation or government censorship.
“It is significant to note that not a single one has been threatened, gagged, or shut down for expressing dissent. This is not a coincidence but a conscious commitment to the constitutional principles of press freedom”, he said.
According to him, the administration’s steadfast respect for press freedom recently earned Nigeria the hosting rights for the International Media and Information Literacy Institute, a global platform that will further position the country as a leader in promoting responsible media and information ethics.
“This prestigious event will connect Nigeria to media-literate dynamics from across the world. My Ministry is poised to leverage this platform to showcase our nation’s progress and to ensure that we not only consume information but also lead in shaping a more discerning and ethically sound global media landscape”, Idris said.
He commended President Tinubu’s personal history of resilience and defense of democratic values, describing him as a leader who understands the struggles and importance of a free press, having himself faced political adversity as governor of Lagos State.
“President Tinubu is a personification of the resilience that defines the Nigerian media. He has always understood that a vibrant, independent media is not the adversary of government but the bedrock upon which a true and lasting democracy is built,” the Minister noted.
The Minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting the media in a consistent manner with democratic ideals and national development, saying that the government’s economic reforms, including subsidy removal, naira unification, and the upcoming tax system overhaul, are designed to lay a foundation for long-term prosperity.
He urged the media to approach national issues with fairness and depth, balancing criticism with context and supporting the collective goal of national transformation.