(DDM) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed the Nigeria Guild of Editors’ (NGE) call for fiscal reforms aimed at rescuing the country’s struggling media industry.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the President gave his approval during a meeting with the leadership of the Guild at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
The NGE delegation, led by its President, Eze Anaba, presented a detailed proposal outlining tax waivers, import duty exemptions, and value-added tax (VAT) relief on media production materials as part of measures to sustain journalism in Nigeria.
President Tinubu, in his response, expressed solidarity with the Nigerian media, describing it as a vital pillar of democracy and national stability.
He acknowledged the significant financial challenges confronting media organizations, including high production costs, shrinking advertising revenue, and the impact of digital disruption on traditional news platforms.
According to Tinubu, journalism remains the conscience of the nation and must not be allowed to collapse under economic pressure or government neglect.
He noted that his administration was committed to creating a conducive environment for press freedom, fair regulation, and sustainable business growth across the media value chain.
DDM reports that the President’s endorsement signals potential policy shifts that could grant tax incentives and VAT exemptions to newspaper publishers, broadcast stations, and online media operators.
Tinubu emphasized that the media’s watchdog role is critical to accountability and good governance, adding that a financially empowered press would better serve the public interest.
He assured the NGE that the Ministry of Information and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) would work closely with industry stakeholders to finalize frameworks for the proposed tax reliefs.
Eze Anaba, speaking earlier, said the Nigerian media has reached a crisis point where many newsrooms struggle to pay salaries, maintain printing operations, and keep digital platforms active.
He warned that without urgent government intervention, the media’s capacity to uphold democracy and check abuse of power would be severely undermined.
The NGE also called for reforms in government advertising practices, equitable distribution of public information contracts, and improved access to credit facilities for media startups.
Anaba commended the Tinubu administration for its willingness to engage with the media community and adopt forward-looking solutions that prioritize press freedom and sustainability.
DDM recalls that Nigeria’s media industry has faced years of decline due to economic downturns, inflation, and the migration of audiences to digital platforms with limited monetization options.
Experts say the proposed tax relief and VAT exemption could rejuvenate the sector, lower operational costs, and stimulate innovation in both traditional and digital journalism.
They also noted that similar fiscal interventions have been successfully implemented in other democracies to protect the integrity of independent journalism.
President Tinubu concluded by urging media owners to balance freedom with responsibility, accuracy, and patriotism, pledging continuous dialogue between government and industry leaders.
He reaffirmed his administration’s respect for press freedom and expressed optimism that with collective effort, Nigeria’s media landscape could regain its vibrancy and public trust.