The President of Nigeria, Senator Bola Tinubu, has commended the media’s role in the 25-year fight to secure uninterrupted democracy, saying their long-standing dedication to nation-building deserves recognition from all Nigerians.
Represented by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the President noted that the democracy Nigeria enjoys today would not have been possible without the media’s support.
He further expressed his gratitude to media personalities, acknowledging their collective efforts, not only in the past but continuing to this day, as the country celebrates a quarter century of uninterrupted democratic experience.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the All Nigerian Editors Conference (ANEC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Tinubu, who was actively involved in the pro-democracy struggle, reaffirmed the media’s crucial role in that fight.
He said, “Indeed, in this room are many veteran journalists who played vital roles in ushering in the age of enduring democracy in Nigeria. I salute your individual and collective efforts, both then and now, as we celebrate 25 years of unbroken democratic experience.
“In any thriving democracy, the roles of government and the media are intertwined, both essential to serving the public interest. Of course, the media has a duty to hold elected and appointed officials accountable and to ensure that we are strengthening democracy — not weakening it. This critical work must be done in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration, rather than recrimination and opposition. This alignment enables us to achieve shared goals that benefit society at large.
“Our roles are most effective when they are cooperative, not adversarial. By seeing each other as partners in nation-building, we foster an environment where transparency, accountability, and mutual respect can thrive. Together, the government and the media can empower citizens, strengthen democratic institutions, and build a more informed and resilient society.
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“As we gather to discuss the timely and urgent theme, ‘Economic Growth and Development Strategies in a Resource-Rich Country,’ we stand at a pivotal point in our nation’s journey toward sustainable growth and prosperity.”
Regarding economic reforms, the President shared that his administration has achieved a significant reduction in the nation’s debt service-to-revenue ratio, from 100% to 65%, through sustained reforms over the past 18 months, which have started to lay the foundation for an economic rebound.
He stated that his administration has been building a foundation for a compelling vision of a prosperous Nigeria, aimed at rekindling the faith and hope of all Nigerians in their country’s potential to flourish and to foster an environment where everyone can thrive.
The President further highlighted that while oil remains a key revenue source, Nigeria is making significant investments in other sectors to diversify the economy sustainably. This includes launching the Presidential Initiative on CNG, a strategy to harness abundant gas resources to reduce transportation costs by about 60% and promote a cleaner environment.
On the conference theme, the President said that Nigeria is at a critical juncture toward sustainable growth and prosperity.
“Nigeria is richly endowed with human and natural resources that could place us among the world’s most prosperous nations. The age-old question, however, is: How do we translate these resources into meaningful growth and development?
“This question fueled my vision for a nation that reaches its full potential, leaves no one behind in poverty and disease, and commands respect on the global stage.
“The last 18 months have laid the foundation for this vision of a prosperous Nigeria — that is the essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda, restoring faith and hope in our country’s capacity to flourish and foster an environment for everyone’s success.”
He also highlighted two key decisions made by his administration: ending a costly fuel subsidy regime that previously drained billions of dollars annually, and reforming a foreign exchange system that encouraged abuse. These economic reforms aim to transition Nigeria from a consumption-based to a production-oriented economy.
“I am pleased to report that our sustained reforms are resulting in a foundational economic rebound. Our debt service-to-revenue ratio has significantly dropped from nearly 100% to around 65%.
“Additionally, revenue for the three levels of government — Federal, State, and Local — has grown significantly, enabling increased investment in social services, infrastructure, and social security.
“A new minimum wage of N70,000 has been implemented across federal government establishments, with many states committing to do the same. Over 46,000 students are benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund across 59 tertiary institutions, with disbursements exceeding N5 billion. The first group of 500,000 civil servants is also set to benefit from the Consumer Credit Scheme, with an allocation of N100 billion.
“While oil remains vital, we are investing heavily in diversifying the economy. The Presidential Initiative on CNG has unlocked nearly $200 million in private sector investment over the last year, reducing transportation costs and promoting environmental health.”
Chairman of the conference and Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of Thisday and Arise Groups, Mr. Nduka Obiagbena, urged editors to support the President’s economic reforms.
He noted that the future could be brighter if the reforms receive the necessary support, adding that the poor should receive essential palliatives to survive the changes.
Obiagbena emphasized the need for Nigeria to strengthen its position globally by revitalizing the four refineries managed by the NNPC to create competition, particularly with the Dangote Group’s functioning refinery. Supporting domestic petroleum refining is essential, he said.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, meanwhile, lamented that Bayelsa, despite being a major oil producer, faces severe environmental challenges and economic hardships. He called for a reevaluation of the concept that states control surface land, while the federal government controls underground resources.
Veteran journalist and publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka, highlighted the media industry’s challenges, particularly the effects of fuel subsidy removal on transportation costs, which have made newspaper distribution financially unsustainable.
Amuka praised the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Vanguard’s Editor, Mr. Eze Anaba, for ensuring the paper’s survival.
“Without Eze, Vanguard would no longer exist. Thanks to his resilience, Vanguard continues to publish, despite the challenges.”
He added that economic hardship has left many journalists unable to fuel their cars, resulting in colleagues pooling resources to share fuel.
Earlier, veteran journalist and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba, called on editors to address the leadership crisis in the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). He urged the NGE to intervene, as the NUJ has not held elections for two years due to this crisis.
