‘No Media House Has Been Closed or Threatened’ – FG Statement

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, has stated that no media outlets have been intimidated, shut down, or suppressed by the current administration.

Idris claimed that this is because of the administration’s deliberate adherence to the constitutional values of press freedom during a speech on Wednesday at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC), which was hosted at the State House in Abuja.

The first time a sitting Nigerian leader had personally attended the Guild’s annual meeting, he called President Bola Tinubu’s attendance a historic occasion.

He claimed that the gesture demonstrated how much the administration values the media as a crucial component of democracy.

“It is important to note that this government has not threatened, gagged, or shut down any radio or television station for expressing dissent,” he stated. This is a deliberate commitment to the constitutional values of press freedom rather than an accident.

The Minister pointed out that President Tinubu’s own democratic credentials, which stem from his history of resistance to dictatorship, were reflected in this degree of tolerance and respect for dissenting views.

“The same tenacity and effort that characterize Nigerian media are personified in President Tinubu. He has resisted the forces of injustice just like you have. He is aware that an active, independent media is the cornerstone of a genuine, long-lasting democracy rather than the government’s enemy,” he continued.

Idris claimed that the President’s bravery in previous conflicts, such as his opposition to the unlawful withholding of monies from Lagos State’s local councils while serving as governor, showed the same spirit that propels his present national reform initiatives.

“President Tinubu is guiding our country through difficult but essential reforms to create a more prosperous Nigeria with unflinching determination. The unification of the naira and the elimination of the oil subsidy are just two examples of the tough choices made. The minister continued, “Now we shift to a more equitable tax system intended to finance infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

The administration welcomes constructive criticism as part of democratic participation, he added, adding that the government’s continuing changes were guided by the same ideals of transparency and inclusion that define its relationship with the media.

“President Tinubu’s administration has shown that it believes in you via deeds, not just words. “We encourage you to participate, offer constructive criticism, and report with the accountability that this historical moment requires,” he told the editors.