The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), have condemned the closure of Badegi 90.1 FM, an independent radio station in Minna, Niger State, by the state governor, Mohammed Bago.
They described the governor’s action as a flagrant assault on press freedom, and a blatant abuse of power.
The directive to shut down Badegi FM was announced on Friday, 1 August, by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, who disclosed that Mr Bago had ordered the revocation of the station’s licence and the profiling of its owner. The building housing the station has also reportedly been marked for demolition.
Reacting to the development, CJID said the move represents “a grave assault on press freedom and a direct contravention of the Nigerian Constitution.”
Governor lacks power to revoke broadcast licence
According to a statement signed by the Centre’s Deputy Director of Journalism Programme, Busola Ajibola, the governor’s directive amounted to executive overreach and violated the Nigerian constitution.
It noted that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has the legal authority to revoke the license of a broadcast station, not a state governor as noted by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris.
CJID linked the move to what it described as a disturbing pattern of media suppression under Mr Bago’s administration, citing previous incidents including the January 2025 detention of Yakubu Mustapha, the Niger State correspondent for People’s Daily, who was held for three days over an article allegedly critical of the governor’s media adviser.
Similarly, in November 2023, Mustapha Batsari, the Niger State correspondent for Voice of America (VOA), was reportedly assaulted by a commissioner in Mr Bago’s cabinet after he requested an interview about a violent clash between farmers in Beji, Bosso Local Government Area.
“The governor’s action is a predictable escalation in a state that already ranks a dismal 11th on the recently launched CJID Subnational Openness Index, highlighting its status as one of Nigeria’s hostile environments for journalists and independent media.
While the Centre described the unilateral order by the governor as an attack on the right of the people of the state to be informed and the right of the broadcast station to carry out its lawful duties of informing the public; it urged that any grievance against the station’s content or alleged unethical conduct should be directed to the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), otherwise known as the National Ombudsman or to the NBC through the proper legal channels.
CJID therefore called on the governor to immediately rescind the unlawful directive against Badegi FM while it appealed to the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) in Niger State to reject illegal orders and cease the harassment of journalists.
“Using state security agencies to harass the media is a diversionary tactic from pressing issues, including the pervasive insecurity ravaging the state. A free press is not an adversary to a functioning government, it is a fundamental pillar of democratic accountability,” the statement reads.
Threat of blacklisting
Also reacting, IPI Nigeria described the governor’s action as another crackdown on press freedom. In a joint statement by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, the Institute described the closure as arbitrary and unconstitutional.
The institute threatened that if the governor fails to reverse the shutdown within 48 hours, his name would be added to IPI Nigeria’s Book of Infamy, which was launched in April 2022 to document individuals whose actions directly or indirectly contribute to the repression, harassment, or intimidation of journalists and media organisations in Nigeria.
While announcing the initiative during a meeting with the then Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Mr Mojeed stated that the list would be regularly updated and shared with embassies, international press freedom organisations, and human rights bodies around the world.
According to IPI, Mr Bago’s actions represent a blatant abuse of power and violates Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee freedom of expression, the right to information, and press freedom.
“Arbitrary closure of media outlets harm society by restricting the free flow of diverse opinions and information. Such actions are contrary to the global push for media pluralism and accountability in governance. Mr Bago’s administration must uphold the inalienable rights of the people of Niger State, including their rights to free expression, access to information, and freedom of the press,” the statement reads.
The Institute called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the suspension imposed on Badegi FM. “We will use the records to ensure that those listed in the book of infamy are held accountable one way or another,” Mr Mojeed said.
Criticism, a constitutional duty of the media – MRA
Also condemning the governor’s action, the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on him to immediately and unconditionally reopen the station and issue a public apology for the closure.
MRA’s Programme Officer, John Gbadamosi, noted in a statement that criticism of the government is not a crime but an integral part of any functioning democracy. He added that it is both a constitutional right and a duty imposed on the media by Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Mr Gbadamosi stated that while the governor’s actions suggest a desire to permit only media outlets that praise his administration, he must curb such inclinations and learn to accommodate criticisms and unfavourable reporting from the media.
He emphasised that the same Constitution from which the governor derives his powers, and is now misusing, also grants the media the freedom and responsibility to “uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.” He called on the NBC to assert its independence in the matter by acting decisively.
