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  • Tinubu acting decisively on security — Shettima

    Tinubu acting decisively on security — Shettima

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is acting “quickly and decisively” to confront Nigeria’s security challenges, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security institutions.

    Receiving faculty and participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President said the government is determined to support security establishments in Nigeria and across Africa to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

    In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “President Tinubu is working round the clock to address concerns in the security sector. It is absolutely essential that we fuse as one to address these issues, and all hands must be on deck to salvage the situation”.

    He added that the security of the African continent must be treated as a collective responsibility, citing the diverse composition of the participants drawn from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies within Nigeria and other African countries.

    Led by the NISS Commandant, Joseph Odama, representatives of the 78 participants were at the Villa to present an executive brief of their end-of-course report titled “Non-State Actors in Security Management in Africa: Issues, Challenges and Prospects for Peace and Development.”

    Among the recommendations presented was the harmonisation and integration of country-based security initiatives into national and regional security frameworks to strengthen peace-building and conflict-resolution efforts.

    Earlier, Odama disclosed that the 10-month programme, which began on 19 February 2025, consisted of senior participants at the rank of Deputy Director and above, drawn from the military, paramilitary, law-enforcement agencies, and strategic MDAs at federal and state levels.

    He said five African countries also took part in this year’s session, bringing the institute’s total number of graduates to 1,130 strategic leaders.

    “These are men and women who have been rigorously equipped to think critically and act decisively, as well as proffer innovative solutions to the most complex security and developmental challenges facing our nation and the continent at large,” the Commandant said.

    He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for what he described as visionary leadership, noting that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is yielding tangible progress nationwide.

  • Nigeria’s education budget rises to ₦3.52trn under Tinubu — Shettima

    Nigeria’s education budget rises to ₦3.52trn under Tinubu — Shettima

    …warns out-of-school children now “national emergency”

    Nigeria’s education budget has surged to ₦3.52 trillion in 2025 under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, up from ₦1.54 trillion in 2023, in what the Federal Government describes as a renewed national commitment to human capital development.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, who disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening of the 2025 Nigeria Education Forum in Abuja, warned that the growing number of out-of-school children now poses “a national emergency.”

    In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications Office of the Vice President Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima called for urgent partnership between government and private-sector stakeholders to reverse the trend.

    Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, also in the Office of the Vice President, Aliyu Modibbo, Shettima said the sharp increase in funding demonstrates the administration’s resolve to build an enlightened and globally competitive population.

    “Nothing threatens a civilisation more than an uneducated generation. Nations rise when the people, regardless of circumstance, are equipped with the knowledge to imagine a better future and the skills to build it,” he said.

    The annual forum, organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education, focused on “Pathways to Sustainable Education Financing: Developing a Synergy Between Town and Gown in Nigeria.”

    Shettima argued that Nigeria has reached a critical “inflection point,” noting that traditional government-only funding models can no longer sustain national education needs.

    “The burden cannot rest on the government alone. We must enlist private sector actors, industry leaders, alumni networks, philanthropists, and communities to co-invest in laboratories, research centres, vocational hubs, innovation clusters, and endowment funds,” he stated.

    According to the Vice President, several education agencies have recorded historic budget increases under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He noted that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) budget rose from ₦320.3 billion in 2023 to ₦683.4 billion in 2024 and now stands at ₦1.6 trillion in 2025.

    He added that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has distributed ₦92.4 billion in matching grants to 25 states and the FCT, while ₦19 billion has gone into teacher development programmes in 32 states and the capital. Over ₦1.5 billion, he said, has supported more than 1,147 communities.

    The newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), created under the Students Loan Act of 2024, has already disbursed ₦86.3 billion to more than 450,000 students across 218 tertiary institutions.

    “This Fund signals a new era where no Nigerian is denied tertiary education for lack of money,” Shettima said, insisting that lasting solutions to Nigeria’s learning crisis depend on safe, well-equipped schools and adequately trained and supported teachers.

    The Vice President urged stronger collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, stressing prompt counterpart funding, transparent resource utilisation, and strict adherence to agreed action plans.

    “Since education begins in the community, local governments and traditional institutions must take responsibility for infrastructure development, school maintenance, security, and teacher welfare.

    “We are here today because we do not treat education as just a line item in the national budget. We treat it as the foundation of our national identity, the engine of our economic transformation, and the shield of our collective security,” Shettima said.

  • Shettima reaffirms Tinubu administration’s commitment to traditional institutions

    Shettima reaffirms Tinubu administration’s commitment to traditional institutions

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday restated the Tinubu administration’s pledge to preserve and protect Nigeria’s traditional institutions, describing them as irreplaceable pillars of unity, stability, and grassroots leadership.

    Speaking at the 45th anniversary celebration of the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani II, and the commissioning of the Gumel Central Mosque in Jigawa State, Shettima said traditional rulers remain the most enduring institutions in the country.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima noted that while the tenure of elected officials is constitutionally limited, traditional institutions transcend political cycles and continue to serve as the closest link between government and the people.

    “Traditional rulers are the closest to the grassroots. They are the leaders and fathers of the society, and their institutions outlive every administration. Therefore, we must respect them, we must take care of them, and we must preserve as well as protect the institution”, he said.

    Congratulating the Emir of Gumel on his 45th year on the throne, Shettima described the monarch as a custodian of a rich heritage dating back to 1750.

    He prayed for the Emir to witness his golden jubilee and centenary celebrations in sound health.

    Paying tribute to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Vice President praised his role in promoting unity across Nigeria.

    “The Sultan is truly a leader worthy of emulation. He is a symbol of our unity. Hardly a week passes without him criss-crossing the length and breadth of this country building bridges,” Shettima said.

    He also commended Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi for cultivating 10,000 hectares of wheat—an achievement he said surpassed the combined cultivation of 18 northern states.

    Earlier, Governor Namadi thanked the Vice President for honouring the invitation to the anniversary and mosque commissioning, describing his presence as a mark of the administration’s commitment to the state’s development.

    The Sultan, who also spoke at the ceremony, preached unity, tolerance, and mutual respect among Nigerians, and praised the Vice President for his dedication to safeguarding traditional institutions and fostering peace.

    Several dignitaries attended the event, including Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; former House of Representatives member Farouk Adamu Aliyu; Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Aminu Usman; Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Dangaji; and traditional rulers from Machina, Dutse, and Hadejia.

    The ceremony also drew members of the Jigawa State Executive Council and federal lawmakers.

  • How to tackle education sector’s challenges, by Shettima, governors, commissioners, others

    How to tackle education sector’s challenges, by Shettima, governors, commissioners, others

    • •VP, stakeholders meet in Abuja to proffer solutions

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors of the 36 states, the education commissioners across the federation and other stakeholders are to meet in Abuja to find solutions to the challenges facing the education system and map out the strategies for the sector’s reforms.

    The meeting, tagged: The Nigeria Education Forum (NEF), is at the behest of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) through its Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education (COSCEN). The meeting is scheduled for December 9 and 10.

    Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, stated that the gathering would enable policymakers and other stakeholders to, among others, refocus the educational system for effectiveness through improved access, funding, and learning skills.

    Iyamu, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee for the

    2025 NEF, said a session, to be chaired by the Vice President, would be attended by the Senate President, the NGF chairman, governors, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, ministers, commissioners of education, heads of education agencies, among others.

    He said the session, which is intended to set the vision for education finance reform, will also witness an industry–academia dialogue, aimed at realigning research, innovation, and workforce re-engineering through partnership for national and subnational sustainable development.

    Iyamu added that the event planned for Abuja International Hotel, “will bring together a cross-section of leaders and stakeholders, committed to reshaping the future of Nigeria’s education system.

    “As the country continues to grapple with persistent challenges in funding, access, quality, equity, and relevance, NEF 2025 focuses on one of the most urgent priorities in the sector: developing sustainable models of education financing through stronger collaboration between society (the town) and academia (the gown).

    “Under the theme: Pathways to Sustainable Education Financing: Developing A Synergy Between the Town and Gown in Nigeria, this year’s forum seeks to foster a renewed national dialogue on how universities, industries, communities, and all levels of government can jointly build a resilient, well-funded, and future-ready educationV landscape.

    “The theme reflects the pressing need to rethink how Nigeria mobilises, allocates, and utilises educational resources in a way that ensures long-term stability and national competitiveness,” he said.

    He noted that in view of the growing financial inadequacy being experienced in the nation’s education sector, it was imperative to reimagine the mode of financing to ensure the attainment of the required development at both the national and sub-national levels.

    Read Also: Shettima rallies states, MDAs to deepen business reforms at PEBEC awards night

    “The NGF through the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education (COSCEN) hopes to encourage community participation in school safety and academic development.

    “Nigeria’s education sector remains central to its social and economic advancement. However, with increasing population growth, rising demands for quality learning, and the continuous evolution of global skills requirements, the current financing structures are insufficient to address emerging realities.

    “The 2025 Nigeria Education Forum will therefore spotlight innovative financing frameworks—including public–private partnerships, endowment models, industry-driven research funding, community investment

    platforms,and technology-enabled cost-efficient solutions.

    “A major emphasis of NEF 2025 is advancing a culture of shared responsibility for education. The ‘town and gown’ model encourages universities to move beyond the walls of academia and engage directly with society, industry, and government for practical impact.

    “At the same time, it calls on companies, communities, and policymakers to see academic institutions not only as training grounds but as engines of innovation, problem-solving, and economic growth.

    “Participants will examine how institutions of learning can build stronger linkages with

    industries, leveraging collaboration for research commercialisation,

    internship pipelines, workforce development, and revenue-generating partnerships.

    “NEF 2025 will also explore how local communities, philanthropists, alumni networks, and state actors can play more active roles in sustaining educational growth through financing,” Iyamu said.

  • 2027: Northern groups to Tinubu: Don’t replace Shettima with Dogara

    2027: Northern groups to Tinubu: Don’t replace Shettima with Dogara

    Youth and socio-political groups from the North East and North West have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima, cautioning that any move to elevate former Speaker Yakubu Dogara to a more prominent political role could unsettle party loyalists and create uncertainty ahead of the 2027 elections.

    The appeal was made during separate media briefings held in Gombe and Kaduna.

    In Gombe, the session was led by the President of the APC Youth Mandate Forum and North East Youth Forum, Honourable Umar Waziri Kumo.

    In Kaduna, the coalition included the North West Sociopolitical Group, Northern Rights Concerns Protection, and the Arewa Coalition for Good Governance, led by Comrade Haruna Mai Kano.

    The groups said Vice President Shettima enjoys broad support in the North East and warned that attempts to undermine his position could lead to discontent among party supporters in the region.

    Read Also: Otuaro applauds Tinubu as nine PAP foreign scholarship beneficiaries graduate in UK varsities

    They also noted that Dogara’s political influence should be carefully evaluated, stressing that the President should ensure strategic considerations that will strengthen national unity and party cohesion.

    The groups further encouraged all political leaders to avoid divisive statements and to continue fostering harmony within the party.

    They highlighted the lasting respect many in the region have for the late President Muhammadu Buhari and urged political actors to uphold the values of unity and stability associated with his legacy.

    Despite their concerns, the groups reaffirmed their support for President Tinubu and expressed confidence in his leadership.

    They emphasised that maintaining stability within the administration would help consolidate the President’s efforts toward national development.

  • Shettima, governors, commissioners, others meet in Abuja to tackle Nigeria’s education crisis

    Shettima, governors, commissioners, others meet in Abuja to tackle Nigeria’s education crisis

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors of the 36 states, Education Commissioners, and other key stakeholders are set to meet in Abuja to discuss solutions to the challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector and outline necessary reforms.

    The gathering, tagged The Nigeria Education Forum (NEF), is being organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) through its Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education (COSCEN). The forum is scheduled to hold from December 9 to 10.

    Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, said the meeting will enable policymakers and stakeholders to refocus the nation’s education system for greater effectiveness through improved access, better funding, and enhanced learning outcomes.

    Dr. Iyamu, who also chairs the Steering Committee for the 2025 NEF, said one of the key sessions—chaired by the Vice President—will feature the Senate President, NGF Chairman, governors, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, ministers, heads of education agencies, and Commissioners of Education.

    He explained that the session aims to set a clear vision for education finance reform and will include an industry–academia dialogue focused on aligning research, innovation, and workforce development with national and subnational sustainable development goals.

    The event, to be held at the Abuja International Hotel, will bring together a broad cross-section of leaders and stakeholders committed to reshaping the future of Nigeria’s education system.

    “As the country continues to grapple with persistent challenges in funding, access, quality, equity, and relevance, NEF 2025 focuses on one of the most urgent priorities in the sector: developing sustainable models of education financing through stronger collaboration between society (the town) and academia (the gown).

    “Under the theme, ‘Pathways to Sustainable Education Financing: Developing a Synergy Between the Town and Gown in Nigeria,’ this year’s forum seeks to foster a renewed national dialogue on how universities, industries, communities, and all levels of government can jointly build a resilient, well-funded, and future-ready education landscape.

    “The theme reflects the pressing need to rethink how Nigeria mobilizes, allocates, and utilizes educational resources in a way that ensures long-term stability and national competitiveness,” he said.

    He noted that in view of the growing financial inadequacy being experienced in the nation’s education sector, it was imperative to reimagine the mode of financing to ensure the attainment of the required development at both the national and sub-national levels.

    “The NGF, through the Committee of States’ Commissioners of Education (COSCEN) hopes to encourage community participation in school safety and academic development.

    “Nigeria’s education sector remains central to its social and economic advancement. However, with increasing population growth, rising demands for quality learning, and the continuous evolution of global skills requirements, the current financing structures are insufficient to address emerging realities.

    Read Also: Shettima rallies states, MDAs to deepen reforms

    “The 2025 Nigeria Education Forum will therefore spotlight innovative financing frameworks—including public–private partnerships, endowment models, industry-driven research funding, community investment platforms, and technology-enabled cost-efficient solutions.

    “A major emphasis of NEF 2025 is advancing a culture of shared responsibility for education. The ‘town and gown’ model encourages universities to move beyond the walls of academia and engage directly with society, industry, and government for practical impact.

    “At the same time, it calls on companies, communities, and policymakers to see academic institutions not only as training grounds but as engines of innovation, problem-solving, and economic growth.

    “Participants will examine how institutions of learning can build stronger linkages with industries, leveraging collaboration for research commercialization, internship pipelines, workforce development, and revenue-generating partnerships.

    “NEF 2025 will also explore how local communities, philanthropists, alumni networks, and state actors can play more active roles in sustaining educational growth through financing,” Iyamu said.

  • Shettima rallies states, MDAs to deepen business reforms at PEBEC awards night

    Shettima rallies states, MDAs to deepen business reforms at PEBEC awards night

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on state governments, federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the organised private sector, and development partners to intensify efforts toward strengthening Nigeria’s business environment, insisting that national prosperity depends on sustained collaboration across all sectors.

    Speaking on Tuesday evening in Abuja at the PEBEC Gala and Awards Night, organised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the Vice President said the reforms recorded this year reflect “the triumph of collaboration over silos,” and urged stakeholders to build on the gains of 2025.

    In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said “the end of this night does not signal the end of your pursuit of excellence because excellence is a culture, not an event. It lives only where it is nurtured.

    “In the new year, let us do even more to advance the reform agenda for Nigeria’s business environment. Let us build a nation where efficiency is normal, where transparency is routine, and where excellence is the governing creed of public service”, Shettima said. 

    He noted that the success of the administration’s reforms, anchored on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, relies heavily on the dedication of public servants, whom he praised for refusing to accept mediocrity in the drive to improve ease of doing business.

    According to Shettima, excellence is cultivated through discipline and the refusal to settle for the minimum. 

    “Public service can and must be synonymous with excellence,” he added, describing the awards night as a celebration of individuals and institutions that have embraced the administration’s reform ethos.

    The Vice President also highlighted interagency coordination as a key driver of progress, citing the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) as an example of reforms “already bearing significant fruit” through the introduction of joint port inspection procedures designed to reduce delays and improve efficiency.

    Earlier, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, declared that PEBEC under Shettima’s leadership has continued to deliver reforms that are “incrementally impacting businesses across different sectors.” 

    He, however, cautioned that the work ahead remains substantial, adding that every milestone achieved forms the basis for even deeper reforms.

    Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Audu, outlined the agency’s achievements over the past year, attributing the successes to strengthened partnerships with MDAs and state governments. 

    She said PEBEC’s reform drive has been deliberately structured into its service delivery framework, ensuring that collaboration remains central to progress.

    The event also featured the unveiling of the 2025 Business Facilitation Act (BFA) Compliance Report and the Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report. 

    Awards were presented in several categories, including Access to Justice, Legislative Trailblazer, Leadership of Action, and Business Advocacy and Partnership.

    The ceremony drew top government officials and industry leaders, including the Deputy Governors of Benue and Enugu States, Dr Sam Ode and Mr Ifeanyi Ossai; Chairman of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.); Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Pius Akutah; and Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho.

  • Shettima to journalists: you’re democracy’s shield against authoritarian threats

    Shettima to journalists: you’re democracy’s shield against authoritarian threats

    • ‘Press freedom non-negotiable under Tinubu’

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has said Nigerian journalists are the nation’s foremost defence against authoritarianism.

    He said press freedom remains “non-negotiable” under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Speaking at the 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria in Abuja, Shettima said the media has continued to provide stability during periods of national tension by countering misinformation and holding leaders accountable.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President said: “We owe you a space of practice devoid of harassment, intimidation or fear. That much is non-negotiable.

    “As a government, we must continue to create an environment where truth can thrive without obstruction and where the work you do is protected rather than policed.”

    The conference, with the theme: Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria, brought together journalists, media executives, civil society groups, and government officials.

    Shettima applauded the resilience of Nigeria’s media, stressing that no dictatorship can thrive in a country with such a vigilant press.

    “It is impossible, utterly impossible, to have a successful dictator in Nigeria. Never in our history has any person or government succeeded in suppressing the media permanently,” he said.

    Read Also: US Mission Nigeria unveils social media skit contest

    Shettima also hailed journalists for resisting foreign information manipulation and the spread of deliberate falsehoods.

    “You have stood firmly against disinformation and refused to surrender your pens to falsehoods or foreign puppeteers. This honourable stance sets you apart”, he stated.

    But the Vice President urged media practitioners to deepen professionalism by upholding truth and verification above sensationalism.

    He criticised those who publish false stories and reject retractions even when confronted with credible evidence.

    “You have stood firm in the coldest nights of national adversity, and you have outlived those who attempted to place their boots upon your freedom. A nation with a silenced press becomes one where public officers lose their way and citizens lose their voice,” the Vice President said.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to strengthening press freedom and independent journalism.

    He said media-government relations were being redefined under a leadership he described as “one of the most media-friendly Nigeria has produced”.

    Idris noted that while security and regulatory agencies operate under strict protocols during civil demonstrations, the government remains determined to balance national security with media freedom.

    “Our approach is not a retreat into control, but an attempt to create mechanisms for dialogue and ethical reporting within Nigeria’s own cultural context,” he said.

    IPI Nigeria President, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, said this year’s conference was designed to spur critical reflection on the state of journalism and to galvanise action toward media reform.

    He emphasised that “solidarity is the journalists’ greatest line of defence,” urging the Federal Government to rein in state actors and security agencies involved in harassing journalists.

    Also, the Executive Director of IPI Global, Scott Griffen, hailed Nigeria’s journalists for their commitment to independent reporting and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to safeguard press freedom in the face of mounting challenges.

  • Shettima to journalists: You’re democracy’s shield against authoritarian threats

    Shettima to journalists: You’re democracy’s shield against authoritarian threats

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday described Nigerian journalists as the nation’s foremost defence against authoritarianism, declaring that press freedom remains “non-negotiable” under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Speaking at the 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria in Abuja, Shettima said the media has continued to provide stability during periods of national tension by countering misinformation and holding leaders accountable.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima, said “we owe you a space of practice devoid of harassment, intimidation or fear. That much is non-negotiable.

     “As a government, we must continue to create an environment where truth can thrive without obstruction and where the work you do is protected rather than policed”, the Vice President said.

    The conference, themed “Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria,” brought together journalists, media executives, civil society groups and government officials.

    Shettima praised the resilience of Nigeria’s media, insisting that no dictatorship can thrive in a country with such a vigilant press.

    “It is impossible, utterly impossible, to have a successful dictator in Nigeria. Never in our history has any person or government succeeded in suppressing the media permanently,” he said.

    He also commended journalists for resisting foreign information manipulation and the spread of deliberate falsehoods.

    “You have stood firmly against disinformation and refused to surrender your pens to falsehoods or foreign puppeteers. This honourable stance sets you apart”, he stated.

    However, the Vice President urged media practitioners to deepen professionalism by upholding truth and verification above sensationalism.

    He criticised those who publish false stories and reject retractions even when confronted with evidence.

    “You have stood firm in the coldest nights of national adversity, and you have outlived those who attempted to place their boots upon your freedom. A nation with a silenced press becomes one where public officers lose their way and citizens lose their voice”, Shettima said.

    Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to strengthening press freedom and independent journalism.

    He said media-government relations were being redefined under a leadership he described as “one of the most media-friendly Nigeria has produced.”

    Idris noted that while security and regulatory agencies operate under strict protocols during civil demonstrations, the government remains determined to balance national security with media freedom.

    “Our approach is not a retreat into control, but an attempt to create mechanisms for dialogue and ethical reporting within Nigeria’s own cultural context,” he said.

    IPI Nigeria President, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, said this year’s conference was designed to spur critical reflection on the state of journalism and to galvanise action toward media reform.

    He emphasised that “solidarity is the journalists’ greatest line of defence,” urging the federal government to rein in state actors and security agencies involved in harassing journalists.

    Also speaking, the Executive Director of IPI Global, Scott Griffen, hailed Nigeria’s journalists for their commitment to independent reporting and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to safeguard press freedom in the face of mounting challenges.

  • Press freedom, non-negotiable under Tinubu – Shettima

    Press freedom, non-negotiable under Tinubu – Shettima

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima assures that press freedom remains a non-negotiable pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    Shettima gave the assurance on Tuesday at the 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is; ” Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria. “

    The Vice-President described Nigerian journalists as the nation’s primary defence against authoritarian rule.

    He, specifically, said that journalists have played a stabilising role during moments of national tension by correcting misinformation and holding power to account.

    Shettima affirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to protecting media practitioners from harassment and intimidation.

    “We owe you a space of practice devoid of harassment, intimidation, or fear. That much is non-negotiable.

    “As a government, we must continue to create an environment where truth can thrive without obstruction and where the work you do is protected rather than policed,” he said.

    Shettima commended Nigeria’s media community for its historical resilience in confronting authoritarian tendencies.

    The Vice-President stated that a successful dictatorship is impossible in the country due to the press’s vigilance.

    “It is impossible, utterly impossible, to have a successful dictator in Nigeria.

    “Never in our history has any person or government succeeded in suppressing the media permanently,” he said.

    The Vice-President particularly commended journalists for standing firm against foreign information manipulation and interference, noting their refusal to surrender to disinformation campaigns.

    “You have stood firmly against disinformation and refused to surrender your pens to falsehoods or foreign puppeteers. This honourable stance sets you apart.

    “I stand before you today not as a wary politician, but as a friend, one who acknowledges your indispensable role and assures you that this administration respects, and will continue to protect, your right to freedom of expression,” he stated.

     Shettima, however,  challenged the media practitioners to maintain ethical standards, warning against those who fabricate stories and refuse retractions when confronted with evidence.

    He called for a professional culture that elevates “verification above virality, and nationhood above nihilism”.

    “You have stood firm in the coldest nights of national adversity, and you have outlived those who attempted to place their boots upon your freedom.

    ” You have been the life-size mirror of our nation, reflecting us not as we wish to be seen, but as we truly are,” he said.

     Shettima warned that, a nation with a silenced press, becomes one where public officers lose their way, and citizens lose their voice.

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the enhancement of press freedom and independent journalism practice in Nigeria.

    He noted that media-government relations is being reinvigorated and redefined under the present administration.

    The minister described President Tinubu and  his vice, Shettima as “some of the most media-friendly leaders Nigeria has produced”.

    Idris said the responsibility and commitment of the present leadership of the Nigerian media must be to uphold the presentation of facts.

    He assured that the Tinubu administration will continue to operate on the fundamental principle of an independent press in acknowledgement of the fact that a free press is the amplifier of an engaged citizenry.

    The minister said agencies of government, both security and regulatory, operate under strict protocols during civil demonstrations.

    He noted that the federal government remained resolute in balancing national security with media freedom, particularly in addressing misinformation and related complexities.

    He assured that the administration’s approach is not a retreat into control but to create mechanisms for dialogue and ethical reporting within Nigeria’s own cultural context for the media.

    Read Also: Shettima supports India’s smart class technology for schools

    The IPI Nigeria President, Mr Misikilu Mojeed, said the conference served as a platform for critical reflection on the state of journalism in Nigeria.

    He added that the event would enhance practice and safeguard the lives of journalists,  as participants are expected to adopt a call to action centred on media reform.

    He called for collective action by journalists to address challenges confronting their interests, noting that “solidarity is the journalists’ greatest line of defence.”

    Mojeed urged the Federal Government to call state governments, security agencies and other actors to order, curb incessant harassment of journalists, and strengthen the mechanism for their safety across Nigeria and beyond.

    The Executive Director, IPI Global, Scott Griffen, commended IPI Nigeria for its commitment to press freedom and independent journalism in Nigeria and beyond.

    He called for genuine collaboration among stakeholders in the country in promoting and enhancing independent journalism in Nigeria in the face of daunting challenges.

    (NAN)