ABUJA, NIGERIA — (NPA) MARCH 14 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday promised to address tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials to strengthen the media industry’s constitutional role.
Speaking at the State House while hosting leaders of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), NPAN, BON, the Guild of Editors, and NUJ, Tinubu commended media owners and journalists for informing citizens and providing livelihoods. He acknowledged the tough decisions his administration has taken to save Nigeria from bankruptcy.
“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. But if anybody tells you it’s easy, it’s a lie,” he said. “We had to save the nation and bring it back from the brink. Today, I can stand proudly before you and say that we are back from the brink.”
On tariffs, Tinubu added, “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.” He praised the media’s constructive criticism, noting, “All of us want the best for this nation.”
Information Minister Mohammed Idris lauded the President’s resilience and urged journalists to hold all tiers of government accountable. NPAN Grand Patron Aremo Olusegun Osoba commended Tinubu’s bold reforms, including the Nigeria Revenue Service and National Single Window policy, while calling on governors to use federal allocations to improve grassroots lives.
BusinessDay publisher Frank Aigbogun, speaking for the NPO, sought Tinubu’s intervention on import tariffs for newsprint and broadcast equipment, and urged protection of Nigerian media jobs from big tech companies that use local content without compensation.
