Breaking: President Tinubu Promises to Review Tariffs Affecting Media Houses After Complaints from Broadcast, Print, and New Media
Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerian media organisations that his administration will review tariffs on newspaper and broadcasting materials in order to strengthen the media industry and enable it to perform its constitutional role effectively.
The President made this pledge at the State House while hosting the leadership of the Nigerian media, including members of the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Nigerian Guild of Editors, and Nigerian Union of Journalists, among others.
President Tinubu commended media owners, editors, and journalists for their commitment to informing and educating citizens, keeping the public abreast of national developments, and providing employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians.
The President noted that responsible leadership requires making the right decisions at the right time, stressing that failure to do so amounts to poor leadership. He acknowledged that his administration had to make difficult but necessary decisions to steer the country away from economic collapse.
“Leadership must, as a matter of responsibility, make decisions at the best time. Yes, I accepted my predecessor’s assets and liabilities because I applied for the job and was given the job, so I must do it.
“But if anyone tells you it is easy, that is not true. I thank you for your criticism at the beginning of the administration. You challenged me, and I appreciate that. Thank you for inspiring and challenging me at a critical moment in my life.
“Having asked for the job and received it, I cannot look back except to make corrections as I move along. We had to save the nation and bring it back from the brink. Can you imagine a country that owed airlines for ticket reimbursements while also facing rising exchange rates and inflation?
“Today, I can proudly stand before you and say we are back from the brink,” the President stated.
Addressing concerns raised about tariffs affecting the media industry, President Tinubu said the issue was discussed during the meeting and assured stakeholders that necessary steps would be taken.
“We discussed issues of tariffs this afternoon. What I cannot confirm here is whether action has already been taken in the areas affecting you. But if anything was overlooked, I will ensure it is rectified,” he said.
The President also praised the media for its constructive criticisms and contributions to national development, noting that as an avid reader of Nigerian newspapers, he accepts criticism in good faith because “all of us want the best for this nation.”
He further urged the media to demand accountability, development, and effective service delivery from all tiers of government, noting that federal reforms have increased financial resources available to subnational governments.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed confidence in the President’s resilience and visionary leadership. He said the Nigerian media have high expectations for the administration’s ability to guide the nation toward lasting progress.
He also encouraged media practitioners to continue fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities with professionalism while holding governments at all levels accountable to the people.
Grand Patron of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, Olusegun Osoba, commended the President for the bold economic reforms undertaken by his administration, describing them as transformative.
Osoba highlighted initiatives such as the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service and the National Single Window policy, noting that both measures have the potential to significantly increase the country’s revenue base.
He also praised the President for urging state governors to ensure that funds received from the monthly federal allocation are used to improve the living conditions of citizens at the grassroots level.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Press Organisation, its president and publisher of BusinessDay newspaper, Frank Aigbogun, commended President Tinubu for maintaining a longstanding cordial relationship with the media.
Aigbogun appealed to the President to intervene on the issue of import tariffs affecting newsprint and broadcast equipment.
He also called on the Federal Government to protect the jobs of Nigerian journalists and the media industry from global technology companies that use editorial content produced by Nigerian media organisations without providing compensation.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy)
March 13, 2026