President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the media industry in Nigeria to strengthen federalism in the country by focusing more on the activities of state and local governments, saying development should be pursued across all levels of governance.
The President made the appeal while receiving leaders of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) during an interfaith Iftar to mark the Ramadan and Lenten fast at the State House, Abuja.
Speaking to an assembly of media executives and editors, President Tinubu urged the Nigerian media to play a critical role in promoting accountability at the subnational and local levels, noting that recent reforms guaranteeing direct funding for local governments have opened new opportunities for grassroots development.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money. But how they use it is in your hands. Don’t bombard me alone; look out to the local government too”, the President said.
Emphasising that state governments are also benefiting from improved fiscal space, the President noted that they must also be scrutinised to ensure accountability and responsible governance.
He added that effective governance and national progress require collective responsibility among leaders, institutions, and citizens, stressing that the media remains an indispensable partner in nation-building.
“Equally, the sub-nationals are enjoying the freedom. Today, there is no state that is borrowing to pay salaries of employees
“We can complain it is not enough. We can complain we are not where we should be, but we have to manage what we have to sustain today, survive tomorrow and make progress. It is a collective responsibility, you, myself and those people that we assign.” He explained.
Speaking on requests by the Nigerian media for tariff adjustments on newspaper and broadcasting materials to strengthen the industry’s capacity to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities, the President said, “We discussed issues of tariffs this afternoon. What I cannot report back here is whether I took action in the areas that affect you. But if I missed that, I will go back to rectifying whatever was necessary.”
The Nigerian Leader commended the media owners, editors and journalists for their commitment to informing, educating and keeping citizens abreast of developments, as well as providing employment and livelihoods for thousands of Nigerians.
President Tinubu said responsible leadership must take appropriate decisions at the right time, adding that anything to the contrary amounted to failure.
He further mentioned the hard but critical decisions his administration had to take to save the nation from bankruptcy.
“Leadership must, as a matter of responsibility, make decisions at the best time. Yes, I accepted my predecessor’s assets and liabilities because I applied for the job and was given the job. So I have to do it. But if anybody tells you it’s easy, it’s a lie. I thank you for your criticism at the beginning of the administration. You challenged me. Thank you for inspiring and challenging me at a critical moment in my life.
“But having asked for the job and got it, I can’t look back other than to make corrections as I move along. We had to save the nation and bring it back from the brink. Can you imagine a nation that owes airlines for ticket reimbursements and faces galloping exchange rates and inflation?”
The President said that despite the initial hardships that followed the reforms, the country has begun to stabilise economically.
“At the time, we had to confront the subsidy, Nigeria was tilting on the edge of bankruptcy. Leadership comes with the responsibility of taking decisions when they ought to be taken; otherwise it is a failure
“Today I can stand proudly before you that we are back from that brink,” he said, recalling a period when Nigeria struggled with soaring inflation, exchange rate instability and debts owed to international airlines,” he said.
The Nigerian leader also used the occasion to address growing concerns over the impact of global technology companies on the traditional media industry.
He stated that the Federal Government would support initiatives aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s media ecosystem and ensuring that the country does not lose value to external digital platforms.
The President cited emerging local initiatives such as Lekeelekee, a digital media platform supported by Nigerian media entrepreneur Nduka Obaigbena, as examples of home-grown innovation that merit support and encouragement.
“Don’t mind the screaming sometimes. I’m glad the Duke is sponsoring Lekeelekee while we are talking about Google and external interference in our affairs.
“We will run with the stick with you and say ‘Nigeria we hail thee.’ We will survive the challenges”, President Tinubu added.