President Bola Tinubu’s administration is using the National Broadcasting Commission, Nigeria’s broadcasting regulatory authority, to control TV and radio programming in a frantic bid to censor criticism.

The U.S. Department of State revealed this in its latest report, 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria.

“While a large and vibrant private press frequently criticized the government, authorities controlled much of the television and radio programming through the National Broadcasting Commission, which was responsible for monitoring and regulating broadcast media,” stated the report. “Cable and satellite transmission was less restricted.”

Citing cases of journalists arrested for their reporting, the report highlighted intimidation of the press by security agencies under Mr Tinubu’s government.

“Some journalists reported they practised self-censorship. Journalists and local NGOs claimed security services intimidated journalists, including editors and owners, into censoring reports perceived to be critical of the government,” it noted.

For example, according to press reports, Adejuwon Soyinka, a journalist with Conversation Africa, was arrested upon arrival at Lagos airport, according to the report. 

“Authorities told him his name was put on a watchlist by an unnamed security agency,” said the U.S. government.