Tinubu urges Nigerian editors to prioritize fair, informed criticism ahead of 2027

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged Nigerian editors to ensure their criticism of the government is informed, fair, and constructive, arguing that nation-building requires cooperation, not corrosive cynicism.
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Speaking at the 21st All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) in Abuja, becoming the first sitting Nigerian president to do so, Tinubu stressed that in the digital age, verification, balance, and professional judgment must guide the media.
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‎Concurrently, Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma delivered the keynote address, warning that the media’s editorial choices will be pivotal to the credibility of the 2027 general elections, stressing that “electoral integrity begins with editorial integrity.”
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‎President Tinubu used the conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” to frame the media as a crucial partner in national development.
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‎He acknowledged the media’s role as the Fourth Estate but asked them to critique policy with knowledge and fairness, aiming to build rather than undermine the nation.
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‎He emphasized on the dangers of social media, where every citizen is a potential publisher and misinformation spreads rapidly. He urged editors to make verification their anchor and balance their principle.
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‎Tinubu defended his administration’s economic reforms as challenging but designed to place Nigeria’s economy on a strong and enduring footing, assuring that efforts are being made to ensure growth translates into tangible improvements for citizens.
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‎The President assured that his administration would consider the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ (NGE) concerns regarding tax reliefs, fiscal incentives, and policy adjustments to support media digitization and press freedom.
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‎Governor Hope Uzodinma focused his keynote address on the media’s moral responsibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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‎Uzodinma stated that editors wield moral power that cannot be outsourced to INEC or security agencies, and must act as custodians of information integrity, not propagandists.
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‎He specifically urged editors to prioritize accuracy over speed, verification over virality, and context over clickbait, warning that allowing misinformation and tribalism to masquerade as journalism compromises electoral integrity long before voting day.
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‎Uzodinma also linked responsible journalism to economic stability, arguing that truthful reporting on successful reforms helps to encourage investment and build national confidence.
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‎Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to press freedom, stating that over 1,000 licensed radio and television stations operate without government interference. He also announced that Nigeria would host the International Media and Information Literacy Institute.
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‎The two-day ANEC 2025 conference brought together over 400 media practitioners and featured prominent participants like the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, and Prince Nduka Obaigbena. Discussions covered key topics, including, Law and politics, election disputes and judicial integrity, media, terrorism, and national security, battling misinformation, AI disruption, and the credibility gap.
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