The International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has expressed grave concern over the intensifying repression of the media in the country, warning that Nigeria’s steep decline in the 2025 global Press Freedom Index reflects escalating threats faced by journalists and news organisations nationwide.
The alarm was raised in a communiqué issued at the end of its 2025 Annual Conference and General Meeting held on December 2 and 3 in Abuja, with the theme: “Addressing Media Repression in Nigeria: Safeguarding Press Freedom and Democratic Accountability.”
The opening day of the conference, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima—who also unveiled the IPI Nigeria Book of Infamy—featured Information Minister Mohammed Idris as Special Guest of Honour. Two keynote papers, delivered by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) Executive Director Edetaen Ojo and Media Trust Limited co-founder Isiaq Ajibola, examined the widening threats to press freedom and the sustainability challenges confronting the media industry.
Panellists drawn from across the media, civil society, and academia further dissected the issues, highlighting urgent reforms needed to prevent Nigeria’s democratic space from shrinking further.
During the AGM on day two, members reviewed the Executive Committee’s annual report, received a special briefing from IPI Global in Vienna, and deliberated extensively on the worsening safety conditions for journalists.
In its resolutions, IPI Nigeria voiced deep concern that Nigeria fell ten places—from 112 to 122—in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, describing the drop as “the cumulative effect of consistent and aggressive repressions across states, across platforms, and across newsrooms.”
The communiqué stressed that while the ranking is unflattering, “the classification is not baseless,” noting that government officials and security agencies remain “key actors responsible for attacks on media freedom and journalism practice in Nigeria.”
Citing a November 2025 MRA report, IPI Nigeria warned that nearly 74 per cent of attacks on journalists and media organisations recorded between January 1 and October 31, 2025 were perpetrated by state officials.
The Institute also acknowledged the inclusion of three public officials—Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno—into the Book of Infamy for acts deemed hostile to free expression and unhindered media practice.
IPI Nigeria noted with gratitude Vice President Shettima’s pledge to intervene and address the concerns raised over the publication.
The communiqué urged the federal government to rein in state governments and security agencies engaged in harassment of journalists and to end the prevailing culture of impunity.
It further demanded an urgent review of the Cybercrime Act and criminal defamation laws to align them with global best practices and protect freedom of expression.
IPI Nigeria also called for greater investment in investigative journalism to enhance accountability; stronger solidarity among journalists in resisting repression; improved welfare for media workers, including living wages, allowances, and health and safety insurance, and increased engagement between IPI Global and its Nigerian chapter.
The Institute also commended the MacArthur Foundation for its support to media development and lauded the significant growth in IPI Nigeria’s membership in 2025.
The communiqué was jointly signed by IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed and General Secretary Ahmed Shekarau.
