Nigeria affirms its commitment to preserving press freedom for the United States.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has restated Nigeria’s strong commitment to upholding the essential principles of press freedom, emphasizing its crucial role in fostering a dynamic democracy and ensuring transparency in governance.

Idris made these remarks during a courtesy visit by the US Charge d’Affaires to Nigeria, David Greene, on Tuesday.

“While advocating for press freedom, we also urge the United States government to endorse initiatives aimed at implementing best practices in the media sector, particularly the establishment of fact-checking mechanisms to curb the proliferation of misinformation, fake news, and disinformation,” stated Idris.

The Minister further emphasized Nigeria’s dedication to democracy, highlighting the importance of continued support from the United States, a key ally, for the Tinubu administration. He urged the U.S. to bolster its backing for the administration’s endeavors to reshape the Nigerian economy based on the Renewed Hope Agenda. This agenda focuses on crucial areas such as food security, poverty eradication, economic growth, job creation, access to capital, social inclusion, rule of law, and the fight against corruption.

Idris informed the US envoy about President Tinubu’s proactive efforts to attract foreign investment, citing the President’s participation in various economic forums, engagements with business leaders, and attendance at global summits in Paris, India, and Riyadh.

“As you are aware,” Idris informed the US envoy, “President Tinubu is currently in Berlin, Germany, attending the G20 Compact with Africa Conference as part of his commitment to revitalizing the Nigerian economy through strategic partnerships.”

In response, Greene affirmed the United States’ steadfast support for Nigeria’s democracy and expressed the country’s continuous commitment to fostering media growth. He highlighted the U.S.’s role as a critical partner in regional security and economic development, citing consistent training initiatives provided to Nigeria over the years.