The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has placed two serving governors and the country’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on its newly released “Book of Infamy” over what it describes as repeated attacks on press freedom.
The announcement was made during the second annual IPI Nigeria conference held in Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima officially unveiled the list.
According to the institute, Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, and the IGP were selected after several warnings and interventions failed to stop what the organisation called clear violations of journalists’ rights.
The IPI said the list was created as a public record of officials whose actions undermined the work of the media and threatened free expression in the country.
Governor Bago was cited for directing the shutdown of Badeggi FM, a privately owned radio station in Niger State.
The organisation stressed that the governor lacked the legal authority to close a licensed broadcast outlet and ignored their appeal asking him to reverse the order.
In Akwa Ibom, Governor Umo Eno was named for preventing Channels Television personnel from covering official activities at the Government House, a restriction that lasted despite multiple interventions by media groups.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun was listed for allowing the continued harassment and detention of journalists by police operatives across various states.
IPI Nigeria noted that it had written the police leadership several times, urging them to curtail arbitrary arrests, but received no meaningful response.
While announcing the blacklist, the organisation also recognised a top security official for positive reforms.
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, received an award for what the IPI described as constructive engagement with media organisations and a willingness to correct long-standing institutional excesses.
One example highlighted was the removal of the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, from a watchlist he had reportedly been placed on for about four decades.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Tinubu administration considers a free and independent press essential to national development.
He emphasised that security agencies have been instructed to respect journalists’ rights, especially in conflict zones and during civil demonstrations, adding that the government remains committed to ensuring media houses operate without fear or interference.
Idris also noted that the presence of the Vice President at the event underscored the administration’s position that open dialogue and accountability must continue to guide Nigeria’s democracy.
In his remarks, IPI Nigeria leadership said the Book of Infamy will be updated periodically as a formal historical record of those who obstruct press freedom, and as a reminder that public officials must respect constitutional rights.