Tinubu to editors: Use criticism to build, not destroy Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has asked Nigerian editors to use criticism to build the country and not destroy it.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday during the annual conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at the State House banquet in Abuja, the nation’s capital, with the theme “Democratic governance and national cohesion: The role of editors”.

Tinubu emphasised the role of editors in shaping public conversations for the sustenance of the country’s democracy, noting that despite Nigeria’s diversity, “disagreement must never translate into the erosion of national cohesion”.

He urged the media executives to exercise their influence to shape public understanding of issues with a strong sense of national duty.

“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,” the president said.

“As editors and managers of the national information space, you shape narratives. You influence public understanding. You decide what becomes the national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted.

“The weight of that responsibility is significant. It must be exercised with wisdom, fairness and a strong sense of national duty.

“Nigeria is a large and diverse country. Debate and differences are part of our reality. However, disagreement must never translate into the erosion of national cohesion.

“Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation. But cynicism that breeds mistrust and despair can weaken the very foundations of the society we all seek to improve. The national interest must always remain paramount.”

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, who spoke on “Electoral integrity and trust deficit: What Nigerians expect in 2027”, said editors control the narratives that shape public confidence in the electoral process.

Uzodinma said the narratives that would be published by the editors will determine the perception of Nigerians of the 2027 elections.

He added that the integrity of the 2027 elections can be compromised before the polls if newsrooms publish misinformation and tribal sentiments in their reports.

Eze Anaba, president of the NGE, advocated for the establishment of a media development fund that will be used to support “digital transformation of Nigerian media”.

Anaba said the fund should be managed by an independent board to prevent political interference.