President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian editors to wield their influence with integrity, wisdom and a renewed sense of national duty.
Delivering an opening address at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) held at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, President Tinubu said the health of the country’s democracy depends as much on responsible journalism as it does on elections and the rule of law.
He said the media must continue to function as a stabilising force in national life, promoting unity, truth, and accountability in the face of misinformation and growing public cynicism.
The president commended the NGE for its consistency in convening national conversations on professional ethics and democratic development.
“Your presence here reflects the enduring importance of the media in shaping national direction and strengthening democratic life,” he said.
He described journalism in Nigeria as an instrument of national awakening that has historically stood firm in moments of crisis.
He paid tribute to generations of journalists who risked persecution, detention and hardship to defend truth and justice.
“From the early newspapers that challenged colonial injustice to the principled voices that kept hope alive during the dark days of military dictatorship, the Nigerian press has stood at critical points in our nationhood to defend reason, dignity and progress,” the president said.
“We honour them not only in memory but also by remaining committed to the values they upheld.”
He, however, cautioned that freedom won through sacrifice must be guarded with responsibility.
“Freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining,” he said.
“It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise. A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws, but also by the integrity of public conversation.”
Highlighting the enormous influence of editors as gatekeepers of national discourse, the president said the narratives they frame determine how citizens interpret the country’s challenges and aspirations.
“You shape narratives. You influence public understanding. You decide what becomes national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted,” he said, urging them to exercise that power with “wisdom, fairness, and a strong sense of national duty.”
Acknowledging the plural and often contentious nature of Nigeria’s public space, the president urged that disagreements should never degenerate into divisions that weaken national cohesion.
“Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation,” he said.
“But cynicism that breeds mistrust and despair can weaken the very foundations of the society we all seek to improve.”
President Tinubu expressed concern about the rise of misinformation in the age of social media, describing it as one of the greatest challenges to responsible journalism. “Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak,” he warned, adding that “in such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle and professional judgement must be your guide.”
He urged editors to continue reporting boldly but truthfully, reminding them that their mission should always aim at strengthening rather than tearing down the nation.
“Critique government policy but do so with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society,” he said.
On his administration’s performance, the president reaffirmed his commitment to national security, economic stability and inclusive growth.
He said the ongoing reforms were designed to restore macroeconomic balance, attract investment and rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s economy.
“The signs of progress are visible in several sectors,” he said. “Still, we know there is more work to do, and we remain focused on ensuring that growth translates into real improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians.”
He stressed, however, that government action alone cannot achieve the nation’s aspirations.
“Nation-building requires cooperation. It requires trust. It requires a shared understanding that our future is tied together,” he said.
“Government has its role. The private sector has its role. Civil society has its role. And the media has a distinct responsibility to help shape a climate of reason and unity.”
Calling for renewed professionalism and patriotism in the media space, the president urged editors to “choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair.”
“Distinguished Editors, your work matters. The tone you set in your newsrooms, the standards you enforce, and the courage with which you defend the truth will all help shape the direction of our national journey. Let us carry this responsibility with purpose,” he said.
