The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria on Tuesday said it would henceforth resist any further attacks on journalists across the country, warning that the culture of impunity endangering press freedom had reached an intolerable level.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 IPI Nigeria Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja, the organisation’s president, Musikilu Mojeed, said Nigeria’s press environment had deteriorated significantly, with journalists increasingly facing surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and politically motivated intimidation.
The conference, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima and attended by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, drew attention to Nigeria’s 10-place drop in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index—from 112 to 122.
Mojeed blamed the decline on “consistent and aggressive repression” across states, describing Nigeria as one of West Africa’s most dangerous countries for journalists. He cited recent abuses ranging from the abduction of investigative journalist Segun Olatunji to the closure of broadcast stations in Zamfara and the frequent deployment of the cybercrime law against digital reporters.
“These are not abstractions,” he said. “They have names, faces and families.”
Mojeed said impunity by state actors—including security agencies and political officeholders—remains the biggest threat to press freedom. He called for a review of the cybercrime legislation and criminal defamation laws, and urged the federal government to compel state governors and security agencies to stop harassment of journalists.
He warned that attacks on journalists would be “fiercely resisted going forward.”
The IPI president also announced that the organisation would endow a prize at the University of Abuja in honour of its late treasurer, Rafat Salami, whose dedication to journalism he described as exemplary.
Police IG, Two Governors in ‘Book of Infamy,’ Honours DSS DG
At the same event, the IPI Nigeria unveiled its first “Book of Infamy,” listing three public officials accused of undermining press freedom: the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno; and the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago.
The compilation was unveiled by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Egbetokun was cited for failing to curtail the persistent arbitrary arrests of journalists by police officers, despite repeated interventions from IPI Nigeria. Governor Eno was listed for barring Channels Television’s crew from covering activities at the Akwa Ibom Government House, while Governor Bago was named for ordering the shutdown of Badeggi FM, a private radio station.
IPI Nigeria said its appeals for reconsideration were ignored by both governors.
In contrast, the organisation honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, describing him as a “listening” security chief who has acted promptly on credible complaints. The DSS DG was praised for removing journalist Lanre Arogundade from a 40-year-old secret watchlist and facilitating the release of reporters detained by the agency.
Responding to the briefing, Vice President Shettima said he would intervene personally, pledging to engage with the named officials. He also invited Mojeed to accompany him to Akwa Ibom during his next visit to address the issue involving Channels TV.
Critical, Independent Press Central to Democracy — Information Minister
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to press freedom, describing a vibrant, independent media as essential to the health of the country’s democracy.
Speaking at the event, Idris said security agencies now operate under stricter guidelines to respect journalists’ rights during protests and conflict situations.
The minister, who served as Special Guest at the event, said it was important to distinguish between current realities and past abuses when discussing media repression in Nigeria. He noted that the government had opted for transparency rather than coercion in dealing with contentious media reports.
Citing the recent publication of a false claim alleging that a national agreement compelled Nigeria to adopt LGBTQ+ rights, Idris said the government demonstrated “restraint” by publicly releasing the full document, engaging directly with citizens, and referring the matter to the independent media ombudsman.
“Our approach is not to retreat into control but to engage through dialogue,” he said.
Idris also announced that Nigeria would host a regional Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute in 2026, describing it as a neutral hub to train journalists, educators, and citizens on digital literacy, fact-checking, and ethical reporting.
The minister said the government would continue to work with media bodies—including IPI, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists—to strengthen regulatory frameworks that protect free expression while curbing harmful misinformation.
“I will continue to be an unwavering voice within the Federal Executive Council for a free press and an open society,” he said.
