Press Under Siege: IPI Sounds Alarm Over Rising Media Repression In Nigeria

The International Press Institute (IPI), a global body dedicated to safeguarding press freedom, has raised concerns over what it described as an intensifying wave of media repression in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja at a dinner held in honour of Hadiza Hussaina Sani, retired Director of Digital Media at the Voice of Nigeria (VON), IPI Nigeria President and Premium Times Editor-in-Chief, Musililu Mojeed, warned against what he called a “disturbing” pattern of clampdowns on journalists across the country.

Mojeed highlighted recent incidents, including the ban on live political programmes in Kano, harassment of reporters in Ekiti and Niger states, the forceful eviction of Channels Television crew from the Akwa Ibom Government House, and the detention of journalists in Kebbi. He described these actions as a daily assault on press freedom and called for stronger advocacy to defend the rights of media professionals.

The event, which brought together prominent media stakeholders, was attended by VON Director-General Jibrin Ndace, former presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu, and former NUJ president Abdulwaheed Odusile. Attendees praised Sani’s decades-long contributions to journalism and her professional legacy.

In her response, Sani reflected on her 34-year career in the media, pledging to remain engaged in the industry through research, writing, and mentoring, even after her retirement from public service.