President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian journalists to place national interest above sensational reporting, warning that irresponsible coverage could undermine the country’s security and democratic progress.
Addressing the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu said the media must resist becoming “megaphones” for terrorists and criminal groups seeking to destabilise the country.
“I made a commitment at the inauguration that I will do everything possible within my power to be consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“You and I have promised one another that we must not undermine our country with irresponsible reporting. We will have no safe space left if we do. At a time when our nation is tackling security threats, neutralising thousands of criminal elements and rescuing hostages, the media should not become an amplifier for those who wish to harm us.
“They want us divided. They want you and me to be afraid of one another. We will not surrender to their whims and caprices. The media must resist the temptation of becoming megaphones for terrorists and kidnappers.
“We must protect our nation. Tonight, we gather not as adversaries but as partners in the service of our democracy and our people,” he said in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
The President, who was decorated as the Grand Patron of the State House Press Corps, declared that freedom of speech and press freedom remained fundamental to democracy.
He, however, stressed that those rights carried corresponding responsibilities, particularly at a time when Nigeria was confronting security challenges.
Tinubu acknowledged that his administration had received both praise and criticism from the media, saying he respected scrutiny and welcomed constructive journalism that provided context and helped citizens understand government policies.
“You must provide context and help citizens understand not just what has changed, but where we are headed,” he said.
He also warned against misinformation, the President said professional journalism was increasingly important in the digital era.
“The media must choose fact over falsehood, substance over sensation and credibility over clickbait. Freedom of expression is not freedom to defame. Freedom of the press is not freedom to mislead. Public trust is earned through fairness, accuracy and responsibility.”
He added that laws such as the Cybercrimes Act were intended to protect citizens against malicious falsehoods and other digital abuses, rather than weaken press freedom.
Defending his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu said Nigeria had emerged from “the dark tunnel of uncertainty” and was beginning to reap the benefits of difficult policy decisions.
“Our economy is stabilising. Public revenues are strengthening, foreign reserves have risen above $50 billion, investors’ confidence has returned, and the oil and gas sector is attracting fresh investments,” he said.
On security, the President said military operations had intensified, intelligence gathering had improved, and cooperation among security agencies had led to the neutralisation of thousands of terrorists and criminal elements, the rescue of hostages, and the recovery of communities previously under attack.
“We remain resolute in our commitment to secure every part of our country so that every Nigerian can live and prosper in peace,” he said.
President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, attended the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner together. Also present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal; the Ministers of Finance, Education, Health, Agriculture and Information; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack.
In separate remarks, Akume, Gbajabiamila and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised President Tinubu’s leadership and reform agenda, describing the administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education and governance as unprecedented in its first three years.
Akume highlighted major infrastructure projects and the student loan programme, while Gbajabiamila described Tinubu as a leader pursuing multiple reforms at a pace rarely seen in Nigeria, saying his work ethic and governance capacity distinguished his administration.
Idris urged journalists to exercise responsibility in reporting national security issues, calling on the media to avoid headlines that amplified terrorists and criminal groups.
He said journalism should promote national cohesion while remaining committed to truth, fairness and professionalism, adding that a free and ethical press remained indispensable to democratic governance.
The minister cited recent government initiatives in the information sector, including the establishment of a UNESCO-backed Media and Information Literacy Institute and the launch of the FreeTV digital broadcasting platform, describing them as evidence of the administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s media landscape.
Earlier, the Chairman of the State House Press Corps (SHPC), Emmanuel Anule, urged President Tinubu to institutionalise the gathering as an annual event.
Anule said the President’s presence at the dinner underscored his administration’s commitment to press freedom and the media’s role in a democracy.
“An informal, annual State House Press Corps forum would create a predictable channel for dialogue and partnership between government and the journalists who translate, scrutinise and explain policies for Nigerians and international audiences,” he said.
He added that such engagement would reduce misunderstandings, build trust and align expectations between the government and the media.
Reaffirming the importance of a free, professional and responsible press to Nigeria’s democracy, Anule pledged that members of the corps would continue to report the activities of the Presidency fairly, professionally and with verified facts.
The event also honoured distinguished Nigerians for their leadership and contributions to national development, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; industrialist Aliko Dangote; businessman Tony Elumelu; Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Former Presidential Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Segun Adeniyi, received an award in recognition of being the first Special Adviser to serve as Presidential spokesman.
Other recipients included Mr Felix Onuah, a retired Reuters correspondent and the longest-serving State House correspondent; Mr Nicholas Okechukwu, honoured for distinguished service as a non-linear editor; the late Baba Ladan Abubakar, who received a posthumous award; and Dr Emmanuel Anule, who received the Outstanding State House Press Corps Chairmanship Award.
