Tinubu remains your ally, will protect press freedom — Shettima assures journalists
Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains a strong ally of the media and is committed to safeguarding press freedom and promoting the journalism profession in Nigeria.
Shettima gave the assurance on Wednesday when he received the NUJ leadership at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, according to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President).
The Vice President said President Tinubu has a long-standing history of supporting journalists and will continue to uphold the integrity of the media in line with his record of defending democratic freedoms.
“In President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you have a friend, an ally, and a proprietor who has always stood by the Nigerian media,” Shettima said. “This administration will continue to promote, project, and preserve the interests of the journalism profession. You are the lifeline of the nation — we cannot afford to muzzle you.”
He described the media as the conscience of the nation and an indispensable pillar of democracy, stressing that journalists, like the judiciary, play a vital role in holding public officials accountable.
Shettima also acknowledged the financial challenges facing many media organisations and promised that President Tinubu would support the NUJ in addressing them.
“Be rest assured that the President will continue to render his support to your organisation. We cannot afford to allow the journalism profession to die,” he added.
The Vice President reaffirmed that the administration’s decision to remove fuel subsidies was made in the national interest and reiterated the government’s commitment to rebuilding the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Earlier, NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, called on the government to protect journalists and review laws that criminalise media practice.
He urged the administration to decriminalise libel and collaborate with security agencies to create a national safety protocol for journalists. Abdullahi also requested the establishment of a media support framework, including training grants, soft loans, tax relief, and a bailout package for struggling media organisations.
The NUJ further proposed partnerships with TETFUND, universities, and international media institutes to improve training standards, and the creation of a permanent Government–Media Liaison Platform under the Office of the Vice President to strengthen communication and prevent misinformation.
Abdullahi pledged the support of the Nigerian press for President Tinubu’s development agenda while maintaining its responsibility to hold power accountable.
“We are partners in nation-building and will not be drowned in false narratives that the media must be antagonistic to the government,” he said. “We will commend when due and criticise when necessary.”
He commended the administration for its economic reforms and steadfastness in navigating global challenges, noting that within less than three years, President Tinubu’s government has undertaken bold steps to stabilise the economy.
