Shettima Praises Nigerian Media for Countering Foreign Information Manipulation

Nigerian Vice President Praises Media’s Resistance to Foreign Manipulation

Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended Nigerian media organizations for their integrity in confronting what he termed “the rising tide of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference.” Speaking at the 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria on Tuesday, Shettima emphasized the crucial role media plays in preserving democratic principles.

The conference, held in Abuja under the theme “Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria,” provided a platform for the Vice President to acknowledge the country’s robust media landscape.

“One thing you have never failed to do is rise in defense of the public’s right to know,” Shettima told the gathering of media professionals. “You have confronted those who sought to suffocate this oxygen of our democracy, and in moments of national confusion, you stepped forward to correct misinformation.”

He particularly praised mainstream Nigerian journalists for standing firm against disinformation campaigns, distinguishing them from what he described as a minority who “chase notoriety by manipulating unverified data and manufacturing obvious lies—those who prefer viral fiction to verified facts.”

The Vice President stressed that ethical responsibility remains fundamental to journalism’s longevity and effectiveness. “The pen is only mightier than the sword when it is deployed in the pursuit of justice and objectivity,” he noted. “Without ethics, journalism becomes nothing more than a dictatorship of text and airwaves, a distortion chamber where truth is suffocated by dangerous agendas.”

Shettima’s remarks come at a critical time when many nations across Africa are grappling with information warfare and coordinated disinformation campaigns from both domestic and foreign actors. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, has increasingly become a target for such operations, particularly during election cycles and periods of social unrest.

The Vice President characterized the media’s role as extending beyond mere government watchdog, suggesting journalists have a responsibility to “save democracy” not just from political overreach but also from politicians’ self-destructive tendencies. “Democracy is safe only when power is under constant observation. And it is safe only when those who observe do so with integrity rather than vendetta,” he said.

While acknowledging the often adversarial relationship between journalists and politicians—likening it to “the friendship of a cat and a mouse”—Shettima advocated for more collaborative engagement. “We are better off as friends,” he suggested, while recognizing the inherent tensions when interests collide.

The Vice President highlighted Nigeria’s historical resilience against media suppression, asserting that “it is impossible, utterly impossible, to have a successful dictator in Nigeria.” He credited this to the strength and persistence of the country’s media institutions, which have “stood firm in the coldest nights of national adversity” and outlived attempts to restrict press freedom.

However, Shettima also pointed to shortcomings within the industry, noting that some journalists “knowingly fabricate tales” and “refuse to retract falsehood even when confronted with evidence.” These “bad actors,” he warned, undermine the integrity of the profession.

Concluding his address, the Vice President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting press freedom. “We owe you a space of practice devoid of harassment, intimidation, or fear. That much is non-negotiable,” he stated. “As a government, we must continue to create an environment where truth can thrive without obstruction and where the work you do is protected rather than policed.”

The IPI, a global network of media executives, editors, and leading journalists, has been actively advocating for press freedom and improved journalistic standards in Nigeria, where reporters continue to face challenges ranging from legal harassment to physical threats in their pursuit of accountability journalism.