Tinubu to Editors: Let Verification Be Your Anchor, Professionalism Your Guide

P President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian editors to remain steadfast in truth, verification, and professionalism as they perform their duties in strengthening the nation’s democracy.

Speaking at the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Annual Conference held at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, President Tinubu emphasized that editors play a vital role in shaping public understanding and sustaining national cohesion through balanced and responsible journalism.

Welcoming the editors, Tinubu commended the Guild’s leadership for maintaining a long-standing tradition of professional engagement. He described journalism in Nigeria as an instrument of national awakening, recalling the courage of media practitioners who challenged colonial and military oppression and whose sacrifices helped lay the foundation for the nation’s democracy.

“Freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise,” the President stated. “A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws but also by the integrity of public conversation. This is where your role becomes central and indispensable.”

Tinubu noted that as managers of the national information space, editors must handle their influence with fairness and a strong sense of duty, warning that while disagreement is part of democratic life, it should never threaten national unity.

“Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle, and professional judgment must be your guide,” he said, stressing that misinformation in the digital age poses a serious threat to public trust and stability.

He urged editors to uphold the highest standards of journalism by reporting boldly but truthfully, and by critiquing government policies with knowledge and fairness. “Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society,” he added.

Highlighting his administration’s commitment to economic stability and reform, the President said the government’s policies are aimed at restoring macroeconomic balance and boosting investment confidence. He, however, noted that national progress also depends on cooperation, trust, and shared purpose among all sectors — government, private sector, civil society, and the media.

“Let us choose clarity over confusion, responsibility over recklessness, and hope over despair,” Tinubu urged. “The stories we tell ourselves as a nation influence the country we become.”

The President concluded by commending the editors’ contribution to democracy and challenged them to continue setting the tone for integrity and national development.

“Distinguished Editors, your work matters. The tone you set in your newsrooms and the standards you enforce will help shape the direction of our national journey,” Tinubu affirmed. “Let us carry this responsibility with purpose.”