By Chukwudi Obasi, Abuja
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria on Wednesday unveiled its new Press Freedom Hub in Abuja and simultaneously announced the relaunch of its campaign against public officials accused of undermining press freedom in the country.
President of IPI Nigeria and Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, Musikilu Mojeed, disclosed this during the inauguration of the organisation’s permanent headquarters as part of activities commemorating the 2026 World Press Freedom Day.
Mojeed described the opening of the facility as “historic,” noting that IPI Nigeria had operated without a permanent office since the 1970s, often relying on the office of its sitting president for operations.
“Today, that changes. With this new facility, we are establishing, for the first time, a dedicated institutional home for IPI Nigeria. In this place, our assets can be securely housed, where members can convene, and where ideas can be shaped into action,” he said.
He explained that the Press Freedom Hub would serve as a centre for advocacy, dialogue, policy engagement, and continuous assessment of media freedom in Nigeria and beyond.
According to him, the hub also symbolises a renewed commitment to defending press freedom, promoting independent journalism, and ensuring the safety of journalists.
However, the IPI president said the organisation could not ignore what he described as persistent violations against press freedom by some public officials.
Mojeed recalled that in December 2025, IPI Nigeria named Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Governor Umo Bassey Eno, and former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun in its “Book of Infamy” for actions allegedly hostile to press freedom.
He said the organisation had initially withheld further action following an appeal by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who requested time for dialogue and intervention during IPI Nigeria’s last annual conference.
“At the time, we deliberately refrained from launching a broader campaign against them out of deference to the Vice President… who graciously attended our last annual conference and asked us to give him time to intervene,” Mojeed stated.
He, however, lamented that no meaningful progress had been made since then.
“Regrettably, no such action has been taken. As we stand here today, the concerns that led to their inclusion in that list remain valid, unaddressed, and ongoing,” he said.
Mojeed, therefore, announced the relaunch and escalation of IPI Nigeria’s advocacy campaign against individuals listed in the “Book of Infamy.”
“From this very platform, from this new home of press freedom advocacy, we are announcing the relaunch and escalation of our efforts against these individuals and others whose names are in the Book. IPI Nigeria will initiate a global campaign to hold these individuals accountable until meaningful corrective steps are taken,” he declared.
He stressed that the move was necessary because “silence in the face of persistent violations is not an option.”
Mojeed further described the new hub as “a statement” that the defence of press freedom in Nigeria was entering “a new phase: more structured, more visible, and more resolute.”
He called on government institutions, civil society organisations, media practitioners, and the international community to support efforts to safeguard media freedom and strengthen independent journalism in Nigeria.
