In a recent meeting with a delegation from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, called on international media outlets to uphold fairness, accuracy, and objectivity in their coverage of Nigeria. The Minister emphasized that while the Tinubu Administration supports press freedom, it expects international media to provide a comprehensive and balanced view of the country, highlighting both its challenges and progress.
Idris noted that Nigeria, like any nation, faces issues but stressed the importance of presenting a nuanced portrayal. He pointed out that Nigeria has many positive developments and ongoing progress toward prosperity that should be acknowledged.
The Minister expressed satisfaction that no reports of journalist harassment by the Nigerian government have been received, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to press freedom. He also praised the BBC for relocating its Hausa Service studio from London to Abuja, which has facilitated the engagement of around 200 Nigerians with the broadcaster.
BBC Director of Global News, Jonathan Munro, expressed his admiration for the BBC’s reputation in Nigeria and highlighted the network’s expansion into local languages and multimedia platforms. Munro revealed that about 30 million Nigerians engage with BBC news services weekly, making Nigeria a key international market for the BBC.
The meeting underscored the long-standing partnership between the BBC and Nigeria, with both sides expressing commitment to continued cooperation and mutual respect.