Niger State Increasingly Hostile for Journalists — CJID

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has strongly condemned the recent directive by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for the closure and license revocation of Badeggi FM Radio. In a statement issued by the CJID’s Deputy Director, Journalism Program, Busola Ajibola, it described the move as a “grave assault on press freedom” […]

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has strongly condemned the recent directive by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for the closure and license revocation of Badeggi FM Radio.

In a statement issued by the CJID’s Deputy Director, Journalism Program, Busola Ajibola, it described the move as a “grave assault on press freedom” and a blatant violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.

The governor’s directive, issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, on Friday, August 1, called for the immediate shutdown of the privately owned station, the revocation of its broadcast licence, and profiling of its owner.

CJID decried the order as an act of executive overreach and abuse of state power, noting that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the legal authority to regulate or revoke broadcast licences in Nigeria.

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has also reiterated this position, asserting that a state governor cannot usurp the functions of federal regulatory bodies.

“This action is part of a worrying trend of intimidation against journalists under Governor Bago’s administration.”

Referencing its Press Attack Tracker, CJID stated that previous incidents include the assault on Mustapha Batsari, a Voice of America reporter, in November 2023, and the repeated detention of the People’s Daily correspondent in January and April 2025 by state security operatives.

CJID also highlighted that Niger State ranks 11th in its recently launched Subnational Openness Index, reflecting the state’s increasingly hostile environment for independent media and journalists.

“The governor’s actions infringe upon the public’s right to information and the station’s constitutional role to inform. If there are any grievances against Badeggi FM’s content, they should be addressed through legal channels such as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) or the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC),” CJID advised.

The organisation warned that systematic attacks on the press only serve to create a climate of fear, silence critical voices, and divert attention from pressing issues, particularly the worsening insecurity in the state.

CJID called on Governor Bago to immediately rescind his directive, and urged the Niger State Police Commissioner and DSS to reject any unlawful order targeting the media.

“A free press is not an adversary to a functioning government; it is a fundamental pillar of democratic accountability.”