Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains fully committed to press freedom, stating that no media organisation has been harassed, shut down, or silenced since the government took office.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) held at the State House in Abuja, Idris said the administration’s respect for media independence stems from its adherence to the constitutional principles of free expression and democracy.
He described President Tinubu’s presence at the conference as historic, noting that it was the first time a sitting Nigerian leader had personally attended the Guild’s annual gathering — a gesture he said underscored the administration’s high regard for the media as a key pillar of democracy.
“It is significant to note that not a single radio or television station has been threatened, gagged, or shut down by this government for expressing dissent,” the minister said. “This is not a coincidence but a conscious commitment to the constitutional principles of press freedom.”
Idris added that such tolerance reflects President Tinubu’s democratic credentials, shaped by his own history of standing up to authoritarianism.
“President Tinubu is a personification of the same resilience and struggle that define the Nigerian media. Like you, he has stood firm against oppression. He understands that a vibrant, independent media is not the adversary of government, but the bedrock of a true and lasting democracy,” he said.
Highlighting the President’s past courage, Idris recalled Tinubu’s resistance to the unconstitutional withholding of Lagos State’s local council funds during his time as governor, describing it as proof of his commitment to democratic principles.
“With unwavering conviction, President Tinubu is steering our nation through tough but necessary reforms to birth a more prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated. “The difficult decisions have been taken — from the removal of the oil subsidy to the unification of the naira. Now we move to a fairer tax regime designed to fund infrastructure, education, and healthcare.”
Idris assured that the administration’s ongoing reforms are anchored on openness, inclusion, and accountability, urging the media to continue engaging constructively.
“The government of President Tinubu has demonstrated its faith in you through its actions, not just its words. We invite you to engage, critique constructively, and report with the responsibility that this moment in our history demands,” he told the editors.