March 14, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has pledged to review tariffs on newsprint and broadcast equipment as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s media industry and enhance collaboration between the government and the press for national development.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Friday at the State House in Abuja while hosting leaders of the Nigerian media, including representatives of the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO), Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The President said his administration recognises the critical role of the media in democracy and national development, adding that the government would consider concerns raised by industry stakeholders regarding tariffs affecting the production and operation of media organisations.
Responding to the request for intervention, Tinubu said discussions had already been held on the issue and assured the media leaders that necessary steps would be taken where required.
“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.
Tinubu emphasised that leadership requires taking difficult but timely decisions, noting that his administration had implemented critical reforms to stabilise Nigeria’s economy. According to him, the government’s policy decisions were necessary to prevent the country from sliding into deeper economic difficulties.
“Today, I can stand proudly before you and say that we are back from the brink”, the President stated.
He commended media owners, editors and journalists for their dedication to informing and educating Nigerians, as well as providing employment for thousands across the country.
The President also praised the media for its constructive criticism, saying such feedback helps strengthen governance and democracy. He urged journalists to continue to perform their constitutional responsibilities responsibly while holding governments at all levels accountable.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, describing him as resilient and visionary.
Idris said the Nigerian media has high expectations that the administration would continue to steer the country toward sustainable growth and long-term progress.
Also speaking, a former governor of Ogun State and Grand Patron of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, Olusegun Osoba, commended the President for what he described as bold reforms introduced by the administration to transform the economy.
Osoba praised initiatives such as the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service and the implementation of the National Single Window Policy, noting that both initiatives could significantly boost the nation’s revenue generation. He also applauded the President for urging state governors to ensure that resources received through federal allocations are effectively utilised to improve the lives of citizens at the grassroots.
Speaking on behalf of NPAN, the publisher of BusinessDay newspapers and President of the association, Frank Aigbogun, appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in tariffs affecting the media sector, particularly those on newsprint and broadcasting equipment.
Aigbogun also called for measures to protect jobs in the Nigerian media industry from global technology companies that utilise editorial content from local media organisations without adequate compensation.
The meeting highlighted the need for closer collaboration between the government and the media to strengthen democratic institutions and support national development.
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