Writing By Bello Wakili; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to address tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials to support the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s media industry.
The President made the promise on Friday at the State House Abuja while hosting leaders of the Nigerian media, including members of the Nigeria Press Organisation, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, Nigeria Guild of Editors, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
President Tinubu commended media owners, editors, and journalists for their role in informing and educating citizens while providing employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians.
He said responsible leadership requires making timely and necessary decisions, noting that his administration had taken difficult but critical measures to stabilise the nation’s economy.
According to him, the government had to implement tough policies to prevent the country from sliding into financial crisis, adding that the decisions were necessary to restore stability and confidence in the economy.
Speaking on the concerns raised by media stakeholders over tariffs affecting the industry, the President assured them that the matter would receive attention.
Tinubu noted that although the issue was discussed during the meeting, he would further review the matter to ensure appropriate steps were taken to support the media sector.
He also appreciated the media for its constructive criticism, describing it as essential for strengthening democratic governance and national development.
The President urged journalists to continue to hold leaders at all levels accountable, stressing that reforms by the Federal Government had increased financial resources available to states and local governments.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, expressed confidence in the President’s leadership and commitment to reforms aimed at promoting national development.
The minister encouraged media practitioners to continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities responsibly while ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
Also speaking, former governor of Ogun State and Grand Patron of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Olusegun Osoba, commended the President for implementing policies designed to strengthen the nation’s economy.
Osoba highlighted initiatives such as the Nigeria Revenue Service and the National Single Window Policy Nigeria, which he said could boost revenue generation and improve economic management.
President of the Nigeria Press Organisation, Frank Aigbogun, called on the Federal Government to address import tariffs on newsprint and broadcast equipment to ease operational challenges facing the industry.
Aigbogun also urged the government to protect the jobs of journalists and safeguard the Nigerian media industry from the growing influence of global technology companies that utilise editorial content without compensation.
Bello Wakili
