Northern leaders demand hard truths, media inclusion, almajiri reform, at 2nd Liberty Symposium

Liberty Symposium

…Demands recognition of Nigeria’s media laws by unregulated Int’l broadcasters, National Security partnership, protection of Nigeria’s information sovereignty  Aminu Imam Participants at the 2nd Liberty Symposium, held last Tuesday in Abuja, have called for urgent reforms to tackle insecurity, poverty, educational decline, youth unemployment and leadership failures in Northern Nigeria, warning that the region can no longer afford to ignore the structural problems hindering its development. The symposium, under the theme: ‘Re-Imagining the North: Media, Productive Power and the Making of the Next Northern Nigeria‘, brought together policymakers, media executives,…

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FreeTV: Ghana funding warning sparks fresh questions over Nigeria’s rollout

Broadcasters on FreeTV

Media and broadcasting stakeholders have been urged to urgently address concerns surrounding Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over (DSO) and FreeTV framework, following Ghana’s decision to review the funding structure of its Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform. A broadcast industry analyst, Aderemi Ogunpitan raised the concerns in an opinion piece yesterday, warning that Nigeria risks facing similar challenges if issues around financing, regulation and stakeholder participation are not resolved early. Recall that Ghana recently directed broadcasters and regulators to develop a sustainable funding model within 30 days after government reportedly carried the cost…

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Liberty Symposium 2026: Ramalan unveils blueprint to re-imagine Northern Nigeria through media, productivity, governance

Liberty Symposium 2026

Executive Chairman of Liberty Media Group, Alhaji (Dr.) Tijjani Ramalan, has announced plans for the second edition of the Liberty Symposium, describing it as a strategic intervention aimed at redefining the future of Northern Nigeria through dialogue, policy engagement and practical solutions to the region’s challenges. Speaking ahead of a press conference scheduled to hold today at the Liberty Media Group Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, Ramalan said the symposium would take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, security…

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World Press Freedom Day: “Nigeria can’t thrive without independent media” – IBAN warns

IBAN warns

The Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) has stressed that Nigeria’s democratic future depends largely on the protection of a free, independent and responsible press. In an issued statement marking the 2026 World Press Freedom Day, Chairman of IBAN, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, described independent media as a cornerstone of democracy and a critical instrument for ensuring accountability, building public trust and promoting national unity. Ramalan reaffirmed the association’s commitment to defending press freedom and supporting pluralistic, high-quality journalism amid growing challenges confronting media organisations and practitioners across the…

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Public Funds Usage: “Hold Govs., LGs accountable, don’t bombard me alone” – Tinubu urges Media

Asiwaju on Public Funds

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian media executives to extend their scrutiny beyond the Federal Government and hold state governors and local government authorities accountable for the use of public funds. The President made the call on Friday, during an interfaith breaking of fast he hosted for media proprietors, editors, and executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The event brought together leaders from the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON). Tinubu highlighted his administration’s reforms to…

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“Invest in media, not just mosques” – Prof. Pantami urges Northern Muslims

Prof. Pantami urges Muslims

Renowned Islamic scholar and cybersecurity expert, Prof. Ibrahim Pantami, has called on Northern Muslims to prioritise strategic investment in the media industry, warning that decades of under-investment have created what he described as a “dangerous communication deficit”. Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, made the call during a lecture at the ICECE AL-Noor Mosque in Abuja, where he spoke on the intersection of faith, communication and societal influence. Addressing a packed audience of scholars, professionals and community leaders, the professor argued that although Northern Nigeria and the…

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Broadcast media owners move to challenge ‘hidden’ 4% levy

Broadcast media owners

…Plans appeal to NASS Broadcast media operators across Nigeria are mobilising to formally challenge a controversial 4% development levy embedded in the country’s newly introduced tax regime, warning that the charge could further strain an industry already battling high operating costs. In a press statement issued yesterday, indigenous terrestrial and satellite television channels, alongside AM and FM radio stations, disclosed plans to write to the 10th National Assembly (NASS) demanding the expungement of what they described as an “illegally buried” levy in the new tax laws. The broadcasters said uncertainty…

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“FG haven’t shut down any media house under Tinubu” – Minister 

Info Minister

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, yesterday reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s firm commitment to press freedom, declaring that no media organisation in Nigeria has been harassed, shut down, or silenced by the Federal Government. Speaking at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) held at the State House, Abuja, the Minister described President Bola Tinubu’s attendance at the event as a historic moment — the first time a sitting Nigerian leader would personally attend the Guild’s annual conference. According to him, the gesture underscored the high regard the…

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IBAN, NBMOA slam Niger State govt. over closure of Badeggi FM station

IBAN, NBMOA slam Niger Govt.

…Demand immediate reopening Aminu Imam Media industry stakeholders have strongly condemned the closure of Badeggi FM 90.1, a privately owned radio station in Minna, Niger State, following an order issued by Governor Mohammed Umar Bago. The action, which involved the sealing of the station, demolition of its building, and arrest of its owner, has sparked outrage from the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria, (IBAN), and the Northern Nigeria Media Organisation, (NBMOA). In separate but coordinated statements released yesterday, both groups described the governor’s actions as a gross abuse of power…

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HURIWA faults Benue Govt’s armed invasion of Joy FM

HURIWA faults Benue

…Says its an assault on press freedom THE Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the forceful invasion and closure of Joy FM 96.5, Otukpo, by the Benue State Government, calling it a brazen assault on press freedom and democracy. The rights group described the armed invasion by security operatives as a clear case of state-sponsored thuggery and intimidation against the media, warning that such dictatorial actions could plunge Nigeria into a dangerous era of media suppression. Reports indicate that on Thursday, a team of heavily armed…

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