Nigeria is not on the verge of collapse but is demonstrating resilience and steady progress, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, declared on Wednesday in Abuja.
The minister made the assertion while addressing participants at the 81st General Assembly and 23rd Annual Conference of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, dismissing claims that the country is nearing failure.
“It is not true that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse. Rather, we are showing resilience and taking firm steps to address our security and economic challenges,” Idris said.
Speaking on security, the minister highlighted ongoing military offensives and improved intelligence coordination as yielding positive results. He cited recent operations in Zamfara and Niger states, where security forces neutralised bandits and foiled planned attacks.
He added that enhanced collaboration among the armed forces and other security agencies has strengthened rapid response mechanisms aimed at protecting lives and property nationwide.
On the economy, Idris pointed to signs of recovery and rising investor confidence, attributing the trend to ongoing reforms in the oil and non-oil sectors. According to him, foreign reserves are increasing while policy reforms are expanding revenue streams and stabilising public finances.
He also referenced Nigeria’s reclassification as a “Frontier Market” by FTSE Russell as an indication of renewed global confidence in the country’s economy.
The minister urged media organisations to uphold professionalism, accuracy and fairness in their reportage, particularly as the country approaches another electoral cycle. He emphasised the role of the media in shaping public perception and fostering national unity.
“Media organisations must continue to inform, educate and unite the public while adhering to the highest standards of professionalism, fairness and accuracy,” he said.
Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the media industry and called for stronger collaboration to combat misinformation and promote cohesion.
The event, held in Abuja, also featured the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Dr. Charles Ebuebu, who presented a reform framework titled “The Big Picture: A New Deal for Nigerian Broadcasting.”
Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Dr. Charles Ebuebu
Ebuebu reviewed the progress of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, noting that despite over ₦60 billion invested over 17 years, implementation has been hindered by limited digital coverage, lack of audience measurement systems, weak monetisation structures and a fragmented rollout.
To address these gaps, he unveiled a new Free TV platform — a national free-to-air Direct-to-Home (DTH) system expected to deliver full coverage and offer more than 100 channels accessible without subscription.
He said the initiative would also introduce a verifiable audience measurement system and provide broadcasters with an 18-month free carriage window before the introduction of a regulated pricing structure.
The framework prioritises local content, setting a minimum benchmark of 60 per cent Nigerian programming, alongside plans to establish regional production hubs to stimulate the creative industry and generate employment.
According to the NBC boss, the roadmap includes the launch of the Free TV platform in May 2026 and a full analogue switch-off by December 31, 2028.
Other dignitaries at the event included Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan; Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; and industry stakeholders such as Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, representing private broadcast organisations.
The minister formally declared the BON General Assembly open, expressing optimism that the conference would generate solutions to challenges facing the broadcasting sector.
