President Bola Tinubu has pledged to review tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials while calling for stronger collaboration between government and the media for national development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to review tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials to support the media industry in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
The president made the pledge on Friday at the State House, Abuja, where he hosted leaders of Nigeria’s media organisations.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Nigeria Press Organisation, Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Guild of Editors, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others.
Tinubu commended media owners, editors and journalists for their role in informing and educating citizens while providing employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians.
He acknowledged that the media had played a critical role in scrutinising his administration’s policies, particularly during the early stages of his tenure.
“Leadership must, as a matter of responsibility, make decisions at the best time,” the president said, noting that difficult policy decisions were necessary to stabilise the country’s economy.
According to him, his administration inherited significant economic challenges but has worked to stabilise the situation.
Responding to concerns raised by media leaders over import tariffs on newsprint and broadcasting equipment, Tinubu assured them that the issue would be reviewed.
“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 said.
The president added that he regularly reads Nigerian newspapers and welcomes criticism, noting that constructive feedback helps improve governance.
Tinubu also urged the media to demand accountability and development from all levels of government, noting that federal reforms have increased revenue allocations to states and local governments.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, expressed confidence in the president’s leadership and called on journalists to continue discharging their constitutional duties responsibly.
He emphasised the need for the media to hold public officials accountable while contributing positively to national development.
Speaking during the meeting, Olusegun Osoba, Grand Patron of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, commended the administration for implementing economic reforms aimed at boosting national revenue.
He also praised the government’s initiatives such as the Nigeria Revenue Service and the National Single Window Policy, which he said could strengthen Nigeria’s revenue generation.
Meanwhile, Frank Aigbogun, publisher of BusinessDay Newspapers and president of the Nigeria Press Organisation, urged the federal government to intervene in reducing tariffs on newsprint and broadcast equipment.
Aigbogun also raised concerns about the impact of global technology companies on Nigeria’s media industry, noting that many platforms use editorial content from local media organisations without compensation.
He appealed to the government to take steps to protect journalism jobs and strengthen the sustainability of the media industry in Nigeria.
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