Requests tax reductions, affordable interest loans Urge your responsibility with a deep feeling of national obligation, Tinubu appeals to Ed...
Requests tax reductions, affordable interest loans
Urge your responsibility with a deep feeling of national obligation, Tinubu appeals to Editors
States that media should construct, not destroy society
The national association of editors, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), on Wednesday urged President Bola Tinubu to step in and assist the media sector amid its current challenges.
- Requests tax reductions, affordable loans
- Urging Editors to fulfill their duties with a robust sense of national responsibility, Tinubu appeals.
- States that media should construct, not dismantle society
The head of the NGE, Mr. Eze Anaba, issued the call during his speech at the inauguration event of the 21st All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC 2025), which took place at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
Anaba highlighted the media's role as a watchdog, which is protected under Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and expressed concern that this duty is under significant pressure due to current economic difficulties.
He stated: "Without economic sustainability, our constitutional and social obligations lose their effectiveness. We are looking for support from the legislative and executive branches to ensure our businesses remain sustainable while fulfilling our public responsibilities. The media sector is currently in turmoil. Many organizations struggle to pay wages, not due to a lack of effort, but because the cost of production has become excessively high."
To address the issue, Anaba proposed measures including a corporate tax reduction ranging from five to ten years, exemption from Value Added Tax on critical media equipment, and tax benefits for businesses that promote themselves through accredited Nigerian platforms.
He also supported the establishment of a low-interest loan program via the Bank of Industry or the Development Bank of Nigeria to assist media companies in enhancing their facilities, increasing their coverage, and generating employment.
We are requesting assistance to help us remain operational. Corporate tax relief for a period of five to ten years would allow media organizations to stabilize, cover expenses, and continue their role as watchdogs. In a similar manner, VAT exemptions should be provided for essential media equipment, as done in countries such as Canada, India, and South Africa.
He also suggested establishing a Digital Transition and Innovation Fund to assist with multimedia storytelling and data journalism.
This is not a form of bribery for the media. Throughout the world, governments and development organizations assist their media to remain sustainable. We urge Your Excellency to encourage businesses to place advertisements in local media by offering tax incentives. This will channel income to Nigerian journalists, enhance investigative journalism, and decrease reliance on foreign funding.
In addition to financial challenges, the President of the NGE mentioned restrictions on press freedom, urging the Federal Government, together with the National Assembly, to work jointly to remove laws that hinder media professionals in fulfilling their constitutionally mandated roles.
Democratic governance thrives only in environments where citizens are educated and informed, and the media functions as a reliable and autonomous observer. Editors will keep upholding the importance of truth and ensuring authority is answerable, not as opponents of the government, but as collaborators in the country's development.
"When the media flourishes, democracy lives; when the media is suppressed, democracy struggles. When journalists are valued, safeguarded, and given access to information, governance becomes more open and citizens are better informed," Anaba stressed.
Addressing the conference's theme, "Democratic governance and national cohesion: The role of Editors," he stated, "the pen should never serve as a means of division or hatred. It must be used as a tool for healing, peacebuilding, and fostering national unity. Editorial decisions should embody balance, fairness, and a sense of patriotism."
In the meantime, President Tinubu called on media professionals to prioritize the nation's interests while carrying out their duties.
Tinubu voiced his appeal during his opening speech at the conference. Speaking to the audience, President Tinubu highlighted that the media influences national conversation, and urged professionals to handle the spread of information with prudence, impartiality, and a deep commitment to the country's interests.
Encouraging the editors to accept the variety of the nation, he argued that dismissive stories that may foster suspicion and endanger harmony should be set aside in favor of national unity.
He stated, "As editors and administrators of the national information sphere, you create stories. You affect public perception. You determine what gains national attention and how our shared issues are viewed. The magnitude of this responsibility is considerable. It needs to be carried out with insight, impartiality, and a deep sense of national obligation."
Nigeria is a vast and varied nation. Discussions and disagreements are an inherent part of our existence. Nevertheless, these differences should never lead to the breakdown of national unity. Feedback that is thoughtful and positive contributes positively to the country. However, pessimism that fosters distrust and hopelessness can undermine the core values of the society we all aim to enhance. The well-being of the nation should always be the top priority.
In today's era, information spreads quickly and extensively. Social media has transformed every individual into a possible publisher. While this brings advantages, it also accelerates and expands the spread of false information. Lies can become established before the truth has a chance to be heard. In this setting, the role of an editor is more crucial than ever. Verification should be your foundation; balance should be your standard; and professional expertise should be your direction.
I strongly encourage you to keep maintaining the highest levels of journalistic integrity. Report with courage, but always remain truthful. Challenge government policies, but do so with understanding and impartiality. Your goal should never be to destroy, but to contribute to creating a better society.
President Tinubu also requested the NGE's perspective on the economic situation, reaffirming his belief that his policies and reforms, which he termed difficult, will eventually lead to better living conditions for Nigerians.
Our administration is dedicated to protecting our country, maintaining economic stability, and expanding opportunities for every citizen. The changes we have implemented have been difficult, but they aim to establish a robust and lasting economic foundation. We have taken actions to restore macroeconomic balance, promote investment, and restore confidence. Evidence of progress can be seen in various parts of the economy. However, we recognize that there is still much to accomplish, and we are determined to ensure that growth leads to tangible improvements in the everyday lives of Nigerians.
Nevertheless, economic reforms and institutional enhancements by themselves are insufficient to create the Nigeria we aspire to. Nation-building demands collaboration. It necessitates trust. It calls for a common recognition that our future is interconnected. The government has its part to play. The private sector has its own role. Civil society also has a part to fulfill. And the media bears a unique responsibility in fostering an environment of rationality and unity.
"I request that you keep fulfilling that duty with sincerity and integrity. Let us opt for clarity instead of confusion, accountability rather than recklessness, and optimism over despair. Let us recall that the narratives we create as a nation and as a people shape the country we will become," Tinubu stated.
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