Tinubu urges improved collaboration with media for development

*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assures stakeholders that he will address tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials to empower the media industry to discharge its constitutional role effectively in Nigeria

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Friday, March 13, 2026, assured stakeholders that he would address tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials to empower the media industry to discharge its constitutional role effectively.

President Tinubu gave the promise in the State House, Abuja, FCT, where he hosted the leadership of the Nigerian media.

The visiting team was comprised of members of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigerian Guild of Editors, and Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others.

Tinubu also commended the media owners, editors and journalists for their commitment to informing, educating and keeping citizens abreast of developments, as well as providing employment and livelihoods for thousands of Nigerians.

The Nigerian leader further said responsible leadership must take appropriate decisions at the right time.

According to him, anything to the contrary amounted to failure.

The President as well acknowledged the hard but critical decisions his administration had to take to save the nation from bankruptcy.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Saturday, March 13, 2026, noted in a statement President Tinubu also said: “Leadership must, as a matter of responsibility, make decisions at the best time.

“Yes, I accepted my predecessor’s assets and liabilities because I applied for the job and was given the job. So, I have to do it.”

The statement noted: “But if anybody tells you it’s easy, it’s a lie.

“I thank you for your criticism at the beginning of the administration.

“You challenged me. Thank you for inspiring and challenging me at a critical moment in my life.”

The President further stated: “But having asked for the job and got it, I can’t look back other than to make corrections as I move along.

“We had to save the nation and bring it back from the brink.”

Tinubu said: “Can you imagine a nation that owes airlines for ticket reimbursements and faces galloping exchange rates and inflation?

“Today, I can stand proudly before you and say that we are back from the brink.”

On tariff issues in the media

In regard to requests for his intervention in tariffs affecting the media industry in Nigeria, President Tinubu said: “We discussed issues of tariffs this afternoon.

“What I cannot 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.”

The Nigerian leader commended the media for its constructive remarks and criticisms.

As an ardent reader of Nigerian newspapers, he accepted all in good faith since “all of us want the best for this nation,” noted Onanuga.

President Tinubu, therefore, urged the media to also demand accountability, development and service from other tiers of government, as the Federal Government reform policies have made more funds available to the federating units.

Speaking at the forum also, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister for Information and National Orientation, expressed confidence in the President’s strength of character, resilience, and visionary leadership.

Idris assured the President that the Nigerian media stakeholders have high expectations from his administration’s ability to steer Nigeria towards lasting progress.

The Minister charged media professionals to continue to discharge their constitutional role with responsibility while holding the government at all levels accountable to the people.

In his remarks, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, the Grand Patron of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), commended President Tinubu for the bold steps his administration has taken, introducing transformative policies geared towards transforming the country’s economy.

Osoba lauded the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the National Single Window policy, both of which are capable of increasing the West African country’s revenue profile.

The veteran journalist and former Governor of Ogun State applauded the President for charging the governors to ensure that the resources they receive through the monthly federal allocation are used to improve the lives of citizens at the grassroots.

Mr. Frank Aigbogun, publisher of BusinessDay newspapers, spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Press Organisation, of which he is the President.

Aigbogun commended President Tinubu for maintaining his longstanding cordial relationship with the media, and sought President Tinubu’s intervention on

Import tariffs on newsprint and broadcast equipment

In respect of import tariffs on media and communication assets, Mr. Aigbogun also urged the Federal Government to intervene to protect the jobs of Nigerian journalists, and the industry as a whole from big-tech companies that use editorial content sourced from Nigerian media without compensation.

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