President Bola Tinubu has charged Nigerian editors to uphold truth, fairness, and national unity in their reportage.

The Nigerian leader stressed that the role of the media is central to sustaining democracy and promoting national cohesion.

Naijaonpoint reports that speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ (NGE) Annual Conference held at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the President praised the Nigerian press for its historical role in defending democracy and urged editors to continue that legacy through responsible journalism.

Tinubu described journalism as more than a profession, calling it “an instrument of national awakening” that has helped shape Nigeria’s democratic journey.

He commended past journalists who risked their lives during colonial rule and military dictatorship, saying their sacrifices “form part of the foundation upon which our democracy rests today.”

“Freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise,” the President warned.

He reminded editors that democracy thrives not only through laws and elections but also through “the integrity of public conversation.”

“As editors and managers of the national information space, you shape narratives. You influence public understanding. You decide what becomes national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted,” he said.

Acknowledging that Nigeria’s diversity naturally breeds differences, Tinubu urged editors to ensure public debate remains constructive and nation-building.

“Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation. But cynicism that breeds mistrust and despair can weaken the very foundations of the society we all seek to improve,” he stated.

Tinubu stressed that national interest must remain paramount, even in the face of political and ideological divisions.

The President expressed concern over the growing spread of misinformation through social media, warning that “falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak.”

He urged editors to serve as the gatekeepers of truth in an era where “every citizen is now a potential publisher.”

“Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle; and professional judgment must be your guide,” he said.

Tinubu encouraged the media to “report boldly, but truthfully,” and to critique government policies “with knowledge and fairness,” stressing that journalism should build rather than destroy.

Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Reforms and Growth

On governance, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to stabilising the economy and improving citizens’ welfare.

“The reforms we have undertaken have been challenging, but they are designed to place our economy on a strong and enduring footing,” he said.

“We have taken steps to restore macroeconomic balance, encourage investment and rebuild confidence. The signs of progress are visible in several sectors of the economy.”

He, however, acknowledged that more work lies ahead, assuring that his government will ensure economic growth translates into real improvement in the lives of Nigerians.

The President said that nation-building goes beyond government actions and requires cooperation among all sectors — including the media, private organisations, and civil society.

“Government has its role. The private sector has its role. Civil society has its role. And the media has a distinct responsibility to help shape a climate of reason and unity,” he said.

He appealed to editors to uphold the ethics of their profession and focus on constructive dialogue, adding, “Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair.”

Below is President Bola Tinubu’s Full Address.

“OPENING ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR AT THE NIGERIAN GUILD OF EDITORS’ ANNUAL CONFERENCE STATE HOUSE WEDNESDAY, 12TH NOVEMBER 2025.

PROTOCOL

It is my privilege to welcome you to the State House for this year’s Annual Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. Your presence here reflects the enduring importance of the media in shaping national direction and strengthening democratic life. I commend the leadership of the Guild for sustaining this tradition of reflection and professional engagement.

The theme you have chosen, “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors”, invites us to reflect on the state of our democracy and the ways in which public discourse can either strengthen or weaken the bonds that hold our nation together. This conversation is necessary as we continue to build institutions that are transparent, resilient, and trusted by our citizens.

Throughout our history, journalism in Nigeria has been more than a profession. It has been an instrument of national awakening. From the early newspapers that challenged colonial injustice to the principled voices that kept hope alive during the dark days of military dictatorship, the Nigerian press has stood at critical points in our nationhood to defend reason, dignity and progress. Many journalists endured intimidation, detention, and personal hardship in defence of the public good. Their sacrifices are part of the foundation upon which our democracy rests today. We honour them not only in memory but also by remaining committed to the values they upheld.

Yet, freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise. A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws, but also by the integrity of public conversation. This is where your role becomes central and indispensable.

As editors and managers of the national information space, you shape narratives. You influence public understanding. You decide what becomes national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted. The weight of that responsibility is significant. It must be exercised with wisdom, fairness and a strong sense of national duty.

Nigeria is a large and diverse country. Debate and differences are part of our reality. However, disagreement must never translate into the erosion of national cohesion. Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation. But cynicism that breeds mistrust and despair can weaken the very foundations of the society we all seek to improve. The national interest must always remain paramount.

We live in a time when information travels rapidly and widely. Social media has made every citizen a potential publisher. This has benefits, but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation. Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak. In such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle and professional judgement must be your guide.

I urge you, therefore, to continue upholding the highest standards of journalism. Report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy but do so with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society.

On our part, this administration remains committed to securing our nation, sustaining economic stability and widening the circle of opportunity for all citizens. The reforms we have undertaken have been challenging, but they are designed to place our economy on a strong and enduring footing. We have taken steps to restore macroeconomic balance, encourage investment and rebuild confidence. The signs of progress are visible in several sectors of the economy. Still, we know there is more work to do, and we remain focused on ensuring that growth translates into real improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians.

However, economic reforms and institutional improvements alone cannot build the Nigeria we seek. Nation-building requires cooperation. It requires trust. It requires a shared understanding that our future is tied together. Government has its role. The private sector has its role. Civil society has its role. And the media has a distinct responsibility to help shape a climate of reason and unity.

I ask that you continue to exercise that responsibility with seriousness and honour. Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair. Let us remember that the stories we tell ourselves as a nation and as a people, influence the country we become.

Distinguished Editors, your work matters. The tone you set in your newsrooms, the standards you enforce, and the courage with which you defend the truth will all help shape the direction of our national journey. Let us carry this responsibility with purpose.

I wish you constructive, thoughtful and fruitful deliberations, and I look forward to the outcomes of your discussions.

Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

President, Commander-in-Chief of The Armed Forces,

Federal Republic of Nigeria.”