President Bola Tinubu has encouraged Nigerian editors to uphold truth, impartiality, and national unity in their reportage.
The Nigerian leader highlighted that the role of the media is important to safeguarding democracy and building national cohesion.
Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ (NGE) Annual Conference on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the State House in Abuja, the President reportedly commended the Nigerian press for its historical role in defending democracy and urged editors to carry on that legacy through responsible journalism.
Tinubu referred to journalism as “an instrument of national awakening” that has influenced Nigeria’s democratic path, describing it as more than just a career.
He praised former journalists who put their lives in danger during military dictatorship and colonial control, stating that their sacrifices “form part of the foundation upon which our democracy rests today.”
“Freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires ongoing monitoring and responsible exercise,” the President warned.
He reminded editors that “the integrity of public conversation” is just as important to democracy as laws and elections.
“As editors and managers of the national information space, you shape narratives. You have an impact on public perception. You determine what becomes a national priority and how our shared problems are perceived,” he stated.
Tinubu urged editors to maintain healthy and nation-building public discourse, acknowledging that Nigeria’s diversity inherently fosters differences.
When constructive and well-informed, criticism serves the country. But cynicism that generates mistrust and hopelessness can erode the fundamental roots of the society we all strive to improve,” he stated.
Tinubu emphasized that despite political and ideological differences, the national interest must always come first.
The President expressed concern over the rising dissemination of misinformation through social media, saying that “falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak.”
In a time when “every citizen is now a potential publisher,” he called on editors to act as the gatekeepers of truth.
He stated, “Professional judgment must be your guide; balance must be your principle; and verification must be your anchor.”
Tinubu encouraged the media to “report boldly, but truthfully,” and to question government policies “with knowledge and fairness,” stressing that journalism should develop rather than destroy.
Tinubu Reiterates His Support for Growth and Reforms
Regarding governance, Tinubu reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to enhancing citizen welfare and stabilizing the economy.
He stated, “The reforms we have implemented have been difficult, but they are intended to put our economy on a solid and long-lasting footing.”
“We’ve taken action to boost confidence, promote investment, and restore macroeconomic equilibrium. There are indications of improvement in a number of economic sectors.
However, he admitted that there is still more work to be done and promised that his government will make sure that economic expansion results in a genuine improvement in Nigerians’ quality of life.
According to the president, nation-building necessitates collaboration amongst all sectors, including the media, private organizations, and civil society, and goes beyond government initiatives.
“The government plays a part. The private sector plays a part. There is a role for civil society. Additionally, the media has a clear duty to foster an atmosphere of harmony and reason, he stated.
“Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair,” he continued, urging editors to respect the ethics of their profession and concentrate on productive discourse.
The entire speech by President Bola Tinubu is shown here.
“OPENING ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR AT THE NIGERIAN GUILD OF EDITORS’ ANNUAL CONFERENCE STATE HOUSE WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025.”
The protocol
I have the honor of welcoming you to the State House for the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Annual Conference this year. Your presence here is a testament to the media’s ongoing significance in influencing national policy and bolstering democratic life. I applaud the Guild’s leadership for upholding this legacy of introspection and professional involvement.
The theme you have selected, “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” challenges us to consider how our democracy is doing and how public debate can either improve or worsen the ties that bind our country together. As we continue to construct transparent, resilient, and citizen-trusted institutions, this discussion is essential.
In Nigeria, journalism has always been more than just a career. It has served as a tool for awakening the country. The Nigerian press has stood up for reason, decency, and development at pivotal moments in our country’s history, from the early publications that opposed colonial injustice to the moral voices that sustained optimism during the dark days of military dictatorship. In the service of the public interest, some journalists suffered personal hardship, harassment, and incarceration. Their sacrifices have contributed to the current foundation of our democracy. In addition to remembering them, we honor them by continuing to uphold the principles they stood for.
However, freedom gained via hardship is not sustainable. It necessitates responsible exercise and ongoing attention to detail. The integrity of public discourse is just as important to a democracy as elections and legislation. This is the point at which your role becomes crucial and essential.
Narratives are shaped by you as managers and editors of the national information space. You have an impact on public perception. You determine what becomes a national priority and how our shared problems are seen. That obligation carries a heavy burden. It must be used wisely, fairly, and with a strong feeling of patriotism.
Nigeria is a big, varied nation. Differences and debate are a part of our world. Disagreement, however, must never result in the weakening of national unity. When constructive and well-informed, criticism benefits the country. However, cynicism that fosters distrust and hopelessness can undermine the fundamental underpinnings of the society that we all work to make better. The national interest must always come first.
These days, information spreads quickly and extensively. Every citizen is now a potential publisher thanks to social media. Although there are advantages to this, disinformation spreads more quickly and widely. Before the truth gets a chance to speak, falsehood can spread. The editorial role is more crucial than ever in such a setting. You need to use professional judgment as your guide, balance as your principle, and verification as your anchor.
Therefore, I implore you to keep maintaining the highest standards of journalism. Report with courage, but be honest. Criticize government policies, but do so fairly and intelligently. Your goal should always be to improve society rather than to destroy it.
This administration is still dedicated to protecting our country, maintaining economic stability, and expanding opportunities for all citizens. Although the reforms we have implemented have been difficult, they are intended to give our economy a solid and long-lasting foundation. We have taken action to reestablish confidence, promote investment, and restore macroeconomic equilibrium. There are indications of improvement in a number of economic sectors. However, we are aware that there is still more work to be done, and we are committed to making sure that development results in genuine improvements in Nigerians’ everyday lives.
However, the Nigeria we want cannot be created by institutional advancements and economic changes alone. Cooperation is necessary for nation-building. Trust is necessary. It necessitates a common awareness of how interconnected our future is. The government plays a part. The private sector plays a part. There is a role for civil society. Additionally, the media has a clear duty to promote harmony and reason.
I kindly request that you continue to carry out your duty with integrity and seriousness. Let us choose responsibility over carelessness, clarity over ambiguity, and hope over despair. Let’s keep in mind that the narratives we tell ourselves as a people and a nation shape the nation we become.
Editors, your work is important. Our country’s path will be influenced by the standards you uphold, the tone you set in your newsrooms, and the bravery with which you stand up for the truth. Let’s fulfill this obligation with intention.
I look forward to the results of your conversations and wish you intelligent, productive, and constructive deliberations.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thank you.
GCFR’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces,
Nigeria’s Federal Republic
