President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the media to ensure that their criticism of government policies and actions is informed, fair, and constructive, aimed at building a better Nigeria rather than undermining the nation.
The president said that while the government remains committed to securing the nation and sustaining economic stability, economic reforms alone cannot build a nation.
Speaking at the 21st All Nigerian Editors Conference at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Tinubu said nation-building requires cooperation, trust, and a shared understanding that the future of all Nigerians is intertwined.
“Government has its role. The private sector has its role. Civil society has its role. And the media has a distinct responsibility to help shape a climate of reason and unity,” he said.
He noted that the conference theme, “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors”, is intended to reflect on the state of Nigerian democracy and how public discourse can either strengthen or weaken the bonds that hold the nation together.
As the first sitting Nigerian president to attend the editors’ conference, Tinubu acknowledged the rapid spread of information in the digital era, where social media has made every citizen a potential publisher.
“This has benefits, but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation. Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle, and professional judgment must be your guide,” he said.
He urged editors to uphold high standards of journalism, report boldly yet truthfully, and critique government policy with knowledge and fairness.
President Tinubu also assured that his administration remains committed to securing the nation, sustaining economic stability, and widening opportunities for citizens.
He said, “The reforms we have undertaken are challenging but designed to place our economy on a strong and enduring footing. We have taken steps to restore macroeconomic balance, encourage investment, and rebuild confidence.
“The signs of progress are visible, yet more work remains to ensure growth translates into real improvements in Nigerians’ daily lives.”
He further addressed the concerns of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) regarding tax reliefs, fiscal incentives, media digitization, and press freedom, promising that the government would consider appropriate policy adjustments.
“Editors, your work matters. The tone you set in your newsrooms, the standards you enforce, and the courage with which you defend the truth shape national narratives. Exercise this responsibility with wisdom, fairness, and a strong sense of national duty,” Tinubu added.
Imo gov urges editors to safeguard 2027 election integrity
Delivering the keynote address, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, stressed that the editorial decisions of Nigerian media will play a pivotal role in shaping the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Uzodinma asserted that “electoral integrity begins with editorial integrity,” urging editors to prioritise accuracy over speed, verification over virality, and context over clickbait.
“You wield moral power that cannot be outsourced to INEC or security agencies. Your reports and commentary shape the narrative of tomorrow. The picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians will expect,” he said.
He warned against sensationalism and divisive reporting, noting that “division sells and outrage travels faster than nuance,” while stressing that the national interest must guide all editorial decisions.
“When newsrooms allow misinformation, rumours, and tribalism to masquerade as journalism, electoral integrity is compromised,” Uzodinma added.
Linking responsible journalism to economic stability, the Progressive Governors Forum chairman said truthful reporting on reforms encourages investment.
“Investors oversubscribe Nigerian bonds not out of sentiment but because they see stability and coherence. Highlighting facts about successful reforms contributes to nation-building,” he said.
Uzodinma also hailed President Tinubu’s attendance at the conference, describing it as a “huge statement of priority,” and encouraged editors to act as custodians of information integrity rather than propagandists.
Information minister reiterates commitment to press freedom
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to press freedom, highlighting that Nigeria’s over 1,000 licensed radio and television stations operate without government interference.
Idris described editors as key partners in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising that the government’s open media environment respects constitutional press freedom.
He also announced that Nigeria would host the International Media and Information Literacy Institute, positioning the country as a global leader in responsible journalism.
He urged editors to report with balance and truth, reinforcing that the administration’s reforms aim to strengthen national prosperity and cohesion.
The two-day ANEC2025 conference, attended by over 400 media practitioners, features panel discussions on law, politics, the economy, national security, and the evolving role of newsrooms in the age of misinformation and AI.
Co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III and the Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of Thisday/Arise News Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the event had former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Segun Osoba, and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, among lead participants.
Prominent speakers include Prof. Awa Kalu, who will lecture on “Election Disputes and Judicial Integrity: Navigating the Thin Line Between Law and Politics,” and Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim of the University of Abuja, who will speak on “State of the Nation: Imperative of Economic and Political Reforms in a Challenged Nation.”
On Thursday, discussions will shift to national security and the evolution of the newsroom, with Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd.) presenting on “Media, Terrorism, and National Security,” and Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi of Baze University addressing “The Evolving Face of Journalism: Battling Misinformation, AI Disruption, and the Credibility Gap.”
DAILY TRUST.
