Caution states, security agencies against harassment of journalist- IPI Nigeria urges FG (Page 218)

IPI Nigeria made the call in a communique signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and General Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, after its 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The twin-event, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, was held in Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The IPI Nigeria appealed to the Federal Government to prevail on state governments and security agencies to stop harassment of journalists and address the culture of impunity against them.

The body said harassment of journalists had resulted in Nigeria falling 10 places in the global Press Freedom Ranking in 2025.

It also demanded the review of extant Nigerian laws like the CyberCrime Act and Criminal Defamation Law to reflect current realities and align them with global best practices on freedom of expression.

IPI Nigeria expressed the hope that “further attacks on journalists and media organisations would be a thing of the past.”

It would be recalled that IPI Nigeria entered into its “Book of Infamy” the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun; the governor of Niger, Umaru Bago, and the governor of Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno, for harassment and intimidation of journalists.

While the Nigeria Police Force and the Niger Government had reached out to IPI Nigeria in order to correct the anomalies, the Akwa Ibom Government had launched personal attacks on its president and his publication, Premium Times.

In the communique issued, members lauded steps taken to call out the offending agencies and state governments.

The body also expressed concern that the latest report released in November by Media Rights Agenda fingered government officials for being responsible for nearly 74 per cent of all attacks on journalists and media organisations in Nigeria from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31.

The report cited was in commemoration of this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

The body noted with gratitude Vice President Kashim Shettima’s pledge to intervene in a bid to address the matter concerning those whose names were penned in the Book of Infamy.

The communique reads in full:

The International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) held its 2025 Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 3, 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria with the central theme: “Addressing Media Repression in Nigeria: Safeguarding Press Freedom and Democratic Accountability”.

The first day (Conference) was chaired by Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima (who witnessed the unveiling of the ‘IPI Nigeria Book of Infamy’) with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris as the Special Guest of Honour.

Two papers were presented at the Conference by Mr. Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA) who spoke on “Addressing Media Repression in Nigeria: Safeguarding Press Freedom and Democratic Accountability” and Mr. Isiaq Ajibola, Co-Founder of Media Trust Limited who spoke on: Building Sustainable Media in Nigeria: Navigating Innovation, Credibility and Revenue Challenges.”

Panel discussions followed the delivery of each of the papers in which core matters were fully elucidated by the eminent panelists.

During the AGM on the second day, members deliberated on vital issues arising from the annual report from the Exco, special briefing from Vienna, diverse matters affecting the media, including the freedom and safety of journalists against the backdrop of threats to media freedom in Nigeria.

The meeting also reviewed issues relating to the recently unveiled ‘Book of Infamy’ and reached the following resolutions:

Expresses gratitude to the Vice President of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for attending and participating in the Conference.

Expresses appreciation to the Vice President for his assurances of helping to further the cause of press freedom and best practices in the Nigerian media industry;

EXPRESSES gratitude to IPI GLOBAL and Executive Director, Scott Griffen, for an inspiring live remark and that in view of the tremendous contributions and participation in IPI activities, by IPI Nigeria, urges IPI GLOBAL to ensure greater interest in and engagement with IPI Nigeria;

NOTES that the Nigerian media landscape is currently in distress;

EXPRESSES deep concerns over the fact that , Nigeria has fallen 10 places—from 112 to 122—in the global Press Freedom Ranking in 2025 and that the steep drop is the cumulative effect of consistent and aggressive repressions across states, across platforms, and across newsrooms.

NOTES that while this classification is not a flattering portrayal of our country, the classification is not baseless;

EXPRESSES deep concerns that government officials and security operatives are among the key actors responsible for the attacks on media freedom and journalism practice in Nigeria;

EXPRESSES concern that the latest report released in November by Media Right Agenda in commemoration of this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists fingered government officials for being responsible for nearly 74 per cent of all attacks on journalists and media organisations documented in Nigeria from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31, 2025;

COMMENDS the entry of three State actors: Mohammed Bago, Governor of Niger State; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State into the book of infamy, for various acts inimical to the freedom of expression and unfettered media practice;

NOTES with gratitude Vice President Kashim Shettima’s pledge to intervene in a bid to address the matter concerning those whose names were written in the Book of Infamy.

URGES media organisations and stakeholders to encourage and invest more in the practice of investigative journalism in Nigeria as a means of holding leaders to account.

COMMENDS members of the IPI Nigeria Exco for the very significant improvement and growth in membership as at the time of the 2025 Conference and AGM;

COMMENDS the MacArthur Foundation to its support to the development of the media in Nigeria,

URGES journalists to uphold collective efforts and solidary in the difficult fight against repression and dwindling fortunes of media organisations;

URGES the Federal Government of Nigeria to call to order state governments, security agencies to stop the harassment of journalists and address the culture of impunity against journalists;

DEMANDS the review of extant Nigerian laws like the cybercrime law and criminal defamation law to reflect current realities and align them with best practices in the freedom of expression;

HOPES that further attacks on journalists and media organisations will be a thing of the past;

DEMANDS that publishers should pay journalists living salaries and allowances; provide health and safety insurance, regarded as essentials for the practice of good journalism.

Signed for IPI Nigeria:
Musikilu Mojeed,
President

Ahmed Shekarau,
General Secretary.(NAN) (www.nanews.com)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

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Caution states, security agencies against harassment of journalist- IPI Nigeria urges FG (Page 218)