IPI Nigeria urges FG to stop harassing journalists

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has urged the federal government to call state governments and security agencies to order over what it described as the continuous harassment of journalists, warning that the trend has contributed to Nigeria’s decline in the global Press Freedom Ranking.

In a communique signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and General Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, after their 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abuja on December 2 and 3, the organisation said Nigeria fell 10 places in the ranking, from 112 to 122, due to “consistent and aggressive repressions across states, across platforms and across newsrooms.”

IPI Nigeria appealed to the federal government to “prevail on state governments and security agencies to stop the harassment of journalists and address the culture of impunity against them.”

The institute also demanded a review of extant laws such as the Cybercrime Act and Criminal Defamation Law to reflect current realities and align with global best practices on freedom of expression.

IPI Nigeria recalled that it had recently entered into its “Book of Infamy” three state actors, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago; and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, for various acts of harassment and intimidation of journalists.

While the Nigeria Police Force and the Niger State Government have reached out to correct the anomalies, the body said the Akwa Ibom State Government had instead launched personal attacks on its president and his publication, Premium Times.

The body said, “The latest report released in November by Media Rights Agenda in commemoration of this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists fingered government officials for being responsible for nearly 74 per cent of all attacks on journalists and media organisations documented in Nigeria from January 1 to October 31, 2025.”

IPI Nigeria commended Vice President Kashim Shettima’s pledge to intervene in the matter, noting that his assurances would help further the cause of press freedom.

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