By Dennis Okechukwu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to review tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s media industry and enabling it to perform its constitutional role effectively.
The President made the promise on Friday at the State House while hosting the leadership of Nigeria’s media industry. The delegation included representatives of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Tinubu commended media proprietors, editors, and journalists for their role in informing and educating the public while also providing employment for thousands of Nigerians.
Speaking on governance, the President acknowledged that his administration had to make difficult but necessary decisions to stabilise the nation’s economy and prevent financial collapse.
According to him, leadership requires taking the right decisions at the right time, even when such choices are unpopular.
He noted that upon assuming office, his administration inherited both the assets and liabilities of the previous government and had to take decisive steps to steer the country away from economic crisis.
“Leadership must take decisions at the appropriate time. I accepted the assets and liabilities of my predecessor because I applied for the job and was given the responsibility. If anyone says it is easy, that is not true,” Tinubu said.
The President also thanked the media for its early criticisms of his administration, describing them as constructive and motivating.
“I thank you for your criticism at the beginning of the administration. You challenged me and inspired me at a critical moment in my life,” he added.
Tinubu stated that his government had succeeded in stabilising the nation’s economic outlook, citing improvements from the period when the country struggled with soaring exchange rates, inflation, and outstanding obligations such as airline ticket reimbursements.
“Today, I can proudly say we are back from the brink,” he said.
Responding to requests from media leaders regarding tariffs on newsprint and broadcast equipment, Tinubu assured them that the matter would receive attention.
“We discussed the issue of tariffs this afternoon. If I missed taking action in areas that affect you, I will go back and rectify whatever is necessary,” the President said.
He also urged the media to extend its watchdog role to all levels of government, noting that recent reforms had increased the funds available to states and local governments.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed confidence in the President’s leadership and resilience, saying the media has high expectations for the administration’s ability to guide the country toward sustainable development.
He urged journalists to continue performing their constitutional duty responsibly while holding public officials accountable.
Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Grand Patron of the NPAN, praised the administration for implementing bold economic reforms, including the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service and the National Single Window policy, which he said could significantly boost government revenue.
Osoba also welcomed Tinubu’s directive to state governors to ensure that federal allocations are used to improve the welfare of citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Press Organisation, its President and publisher of BusinessDay newspaper, Frank Aigbogun, acknowledged Tinubu’s longstanding relationship with the media.
He appealed for government intervention on tariffs affecting the media industry, particularly import duties on newsprint and broadcast equipment.
Aigbogun also called on the Federal Government to protect Nigerian journalism jobs from global technology companies that use editorial content from local media organisations without compensation.