The relationship between the Nigerian media and successive governments has always been marked by tension, suspicion, and resistance.
This age-old friction recently resurfaced when former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd.), described the Nigerian press as “adversarial” and trapped in a perpetual “we-versus-the-government” battle in his autobiography.
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Reflecting on the assassination of renowned investigative journalist Dele Giwa, Babangida asserted that the media’s “hysteria” did not aid the investigation, instead fueling an adversarial stance against the government.
“The hysteria of the media did not help the investigation of the Giwa murder,” Babangida wrote. “As is typical of the Nigerian media, the direction was marked by an adversarial attitude towards the government, which has remained the hallmark of the Nigerian media from its colonial heyday.”
But history tells a different story. The so-called adversarial nature of the Nigerian press did not emerge out of thin air; it was born out of necessity. From colonial resistance to military rule and democratic suppression, the press has played a defining role in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
The Nigerian media was instrumental in the fight for independence. Publications like the West African Pilot, founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Nigerian Tribune, established by Obafemi Awolowo, were key players in the struggle against British colonial rule.
These newspapers were not just news carriers; they were the lifeblood of a movement, wielding words as weapons against oppression.
Despite its significant contributions, the media has often been met with hostility from the state.
Babangida’s comments echo a long-standing narrative where calls for accountability are misconstrued as personal attacks.
His administration, like many others, viewed the press not as a watchdog but as a threat to power.
In 1986, after Dele Giwa’s assassination via a letter bomb, Nigerian newspapers kept the search for justice alive.
As reported by The New York Times, dailies placed small but persistent reminders in obscure corners of their pages, asking, “Who Killed Dele Giwa?”
This silent yet powerful campaign epitomized the media’s role in demanding accountability, despite attempts at suppression.
“When journalists ask questions, they are labeled troublemakers; when they demand transparency, they suddenly become public enemies working against ‘national security’,” said John Andah, a development journalist and Executive Director of ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication.
Even in contemporary Nigeria, the press remains a crucial force in governance. In 2020, during the #EndSARS protests, journalists played a key role in exposing human rights abuses despite facing arrests, crackdowns, and internet shutdowns.
In 2023, investigative reporters uncovered multi-billion naira corruption scandals in government contracts, inflated budgets, and financial mismanagement.
Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous places to practice journalism, with reporters facing harassment, censorship, and threats to their lives. Yet, the government continues to wonder why the press is “adversarial.”
“The role of the media is not to romance the government but to hold it accountable. Nigeria’s development hinges on a governance system that values transparency, responsiveness, and accountability,” Andah added.
Public trust in governance cannot be enforced through intimidation; it must be earned.
The best way to silence an “adversarial” press is not through censorship but through good governance.
A government that listens to its people, engages with the press, and prioritizes accountability will be remembered for its progress, not its cover-ups.