With a charge to editors to report boldly, champion unity and uphold integrity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday inaugurated the 21st Annual Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (ANEC 2025).
Tinubu, the first President to have declared the NGE’s conference open, spoke at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, venue of the event themed: “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors”.
He advised the editors to use the power of the media to project a positive image of the country. He described the press as a vital partner in his administration’s efforts toward national renewal and democratic consolidation.
The President urged editors to be conscious of their critical responsibility in nation-building, noting that the stories they tell shape how the world perceives Nigeria, and how Nigerians perceive themselves.
“It is our country. What should be worrisome to you is the image of the country we project to the outside world. Your institutions must help build a nation of credibility and integrity.
“Poverty will not define us, we shall overcome it. We are doing something about terrorism and banditry, inspiring our armed forces and encouraging them to defend the sovereignty of this country,” Tinubu said.
He maintained that the administration’s economic reforms, including subsidy removal, currency unification, and upcoming fiscal measures, were part of a deliberate strategy to restore confidence in the Nigerian economy and improve citizens’ welfare.
“On the economy, we know there is more work to do, and we remain focused on ensuring that growth translates into real improvement in the daily lives of all Nigerians. “However, economic reforms and institutional improvement alone cannot give us the nation-building we require. Nation-building requires cooperation, truth, and a shared understanding that our future is tied together,” he said.
Responding to the request by the guild for tax reliefs and other incentives to sustain the media, Tinubu assured that his administration would consider appropriate policy adjustments.
“I’ve listened to the concerns of the Guild regarding corporate tax review, VAT extensions, media tax breaks, and affordable loans through the Bank of Industry. We will discuss these as part of our broader reforms to support media digitization and press freedom”, the President said.
He urged editors to lead by example in professionalism and ethics, saying, “let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair. The stories we tell ourselves as a nation influence the country we become.”
The conference brought together more than 400 senior journalists and communication professionals from across the country.
NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba, Editor of Vanguard, appealed to the Federal Government to grant tax reliefs, VAT exemptions, and access to low-interest loans for media organisations. Describing the media as “the heartbeat of democracy,” Anaba warned that the industry’s financial distress threatened its constitutional watchdog role. “Without economic sustainability, our constitutional and social responsibilities become ineffective. We seek legislative and executive assistance to make our businesses viable while performing our public duties,” he said.
He proposed a range of fiscal measures, including a five-to-ten-year corporate tax relief, VAT exemptions on essential media equipment, and tax incentives for companies that advertise in Nigerian outlets.
“This is not a bribe to the media. Across the world, governments support their media to stay viable. We appeal to Your Excellency to incentivize corporations to advertise in local media through tax credits. This will strengthen investigative reporting and reduce dependence on foreign grants,” he explained.
Anaba also called for the repeal of laws that hinder press freedom and the creation of a Media Freedom and Safety Charter backed by all arms of government. He emphasised that journalism should be treated as a public good deserving of targeted developmental support.
“When the press thrives, democracy breathes; when the press is stifled, democracy suffocates,” he said, reaffirming the Guild’s commitment to professionalism, ethical reporting, and national unity.
Delivering the keynote address, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, urged editors to recognise their decisive influence on the credibility of the 2027 general elections. Speaking on the topic “2027: Editors as Catalysts of Democracy, National Cohesion, and Electoral Integrity,” Uzodimma stressed that “electoral integrity begins with editorial integrity.”
He warned that sensationalism, misinformation, and divisive reportage could undermine public trust in democracy. “You wield moral power that cannot be outsourced to INEC or the security agencies. The picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians will expect,” he said.
The governor urged editors to prioritise accuracy over speed, verification over virality, and context over clickbait, stressing that “national interest must remain your editorial north star.”
He also linked responsible journalism to economic stability, noting that truthful coverage of reforms help attract investment and build confidence. “When you highlight facts that show reforms are working, you are contributing to nation-building, not propaganda,” he said.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, described editors as vital partners in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the administration had maintained an open media environment where “not a single radio or television station has been gagged or shut down for dissent.” Idris announced that Nigeria had secured hosting rights for the International Media and Information Literacy Institute, a global platform to promote responsible journalism and ethical media practices.
“We are leveraging this opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s progress and leadership in shaping a more discerning global media landscape,” he said. The Minister urged editors to tell the Nigerian story with balance, truth, and optimism, assuring that the administration’s reforms aim to build “a stronger foundation for prosperity and shared national purpose.”
Co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, and Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of ThisDay/Arise News Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the two-day conference features panel discussions on law, politics, national security, and the evolving media landscape, with distinguished scholars and industry experts as speakers.
The NGE presented plaques to President Tinubu, Minister of Information Idris and Imo Governor Uzodimma in recognition of their support and contribution to the growth of the Guild.
The conference ends today.
