By Danjuma Amodu | March 14, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has promised to address tariffs on newspapers and broadcasting materials to empower the media industry. He made this promise while hosting Nigerian media leaders at the State House, including members of the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO), Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), and Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).
Tinubu commended media owners, editors, and journalists for their commitment to informing and educating citizens. He acknowledged the tough decisions his administration took to save Nigeria from bankruptcy and said responsible leadership requires making tough decisions.
“We discussed issues of tariffs this afternoon. What I can not report back here is whether I took action in the areas that affect you. But if I missed that, I will go back to rectifying whatever was necessary,” Tinubu said.
He thanked the media for criticism and challenges, saying it inspired him.
“Leadership must make decisions at the best time. I accepted my predecessor’s assets and liabilities because I applied for the job. We had to save the nation and bring it back from the brink.”
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, assured Tinubu of the media’s expectations for progress, saying, “The Nigerian media have high expectations for his administration’s ability to steer the nation toward lasting progress.”
Media leaders praised Tinubu’s steps, including Olusegun Osoba, who commended the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service and National Single Window policy.
Frank Aigbogun, publisher of BusinessDay newspapers, sought Tinubu’s intervention on import tariffs on newsprint and broadcast equipment and protection for journalists’ jobs.
Tinubu called on the media to demand accountability from other tiers of government, as federal reforms have increased funds for federating units.
The president’s meeting with media leaders aimed to strengthen ties and address industry challenges. The media leaders appreciated Tinubu’s engagement and looked forward to his administration’s continued support for the industry.
Aigbogun emphasized the need for the government to intervene in protecting Nigerian media from big tech companies exploiting their content without compensation.
Osoba highlighted the positive impact of Tinubu’s policies, saying they would transform the nation’s economy and increase revenue. Idris urged media practitioners to discharge their constitutional role responsibly and hold the government accountable to the people.
The meeting covered various issues affecting the media industry, including tariffs, job protection, and the impact of digital platforms on traditional media.
Tinubu’s commitment to addressing these challenges was seen as a positive step by the media leaders.
