Guide to the Nigerian Media

Prepared by the Communications Unit, UNDP Nigeria

History
The first newspaper in Nigeria (Iwe Iroyin) was established by a British missionary in
1859. The Nigerian press however quickly outgrew its missionary background to become
a combative institution that has played a critical and secular role in the evolution of the
Nigerian polity. By the 1880s, many Lagos-based publications had started clamouring for
equal treatment and representation for Nigerians and Europeans; by the 1930s, some of
newspapers had started advocating for the independence of Nigeria. Most of Nigeria’s
founding fathers were not just journalists, some of them owned media outlets to
propagate their views and mobilize their followers. This advocacy tradition didn’t stop
with independence. To be sure, the Nigerian press has been in the vanguard of the
struggle for good governance in Nigeria by being in the barricades against the military
and by keeping elected governments on their toes.

Character
Because of its background, the Nigerian press has an adversarial character. It is usually
combative and confrontational, and could be sensational. It has a populist orientation, and
could be seen as the last redoubt of the left in the country. However, its standard fare is
politics, meaning that social, economic and developmental issues are usually crowded
out.

Slant
Most of the media outlets in Nigeria claim to subscribe to the principles of fairness,
balance and objectivity. Most also claim to be national in outlook and spread. But a
cursory glance at the media landscape reveals obvious biases and slants in terms of what
issues they cover, which angles they take their coverage from and what space they devote
to these issues. A careful reading will also reveal the media see themselves as advocates
of certain regions.
The positions taken by the media are determined by physical location, ownership and
ideological leanings. A majority of the newspapers are located in Lagos. This has led to
the accusation that the dominant press in the country has a Lagos or Lagos-Ibadan
mentality. There have been conscious—but not very successful—efforts to create a
counterforce to the Lagos Press largely from the Northern part of the country.

The Print Media

There are more than hundred newspapers, magazines and periodicals in Nigeria. Some of
them are government owned, some are community based, but most of them are privately
owned and urban based. All Nigerian newspapers are presently printed in the tabloid
format.
The major publications are the newspapers and the newsmagazines, which are published
daily and weekly respectively. The print media industry is also replete with specialized
publications (soccer, oil and gas etc), lifestyle publications and celebrity gossip journals.
Though not as influential as the news publications, the lifestyle/gossip publications enjoy
wider readership.

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The Broadcast Media
Until the 1990s, the broadcast segment of the Nigerian media was fully owned by the
government at state and federal levels. The logic of government ownership was that the
broadcasting was too sensitive and too strategic to be left in private hands. That has
changed with the liberalization of that sector and the issuance of private licenses for
broadcasting.
The country now has dozens of privately-owned radio and television stations. However, a
majority of the broadcast stations are still owned by the government. Though private
ownership has introduced some competition into the broadcast industry, it is still not as
vibrant as the print industry. Most of the broadcast stations are weak on programming
and content. People who have the means get quality news and entertainment from cable
television.
Despite their problems, the broadcast stations have more reach than the print media
because of the pervasiveness and cost. Most Nigerians receive their news from television
and radio, including some international stations broadcasting in indigenous languages
(e.g. BBC and VOA Hausa services).

The Web
Most print outlets have web presence, even if they are not constantly updated. Some
publications are totally internet based, such as gamji.com, elendureports.com and
nigeriaworld.com. The web-based publications feature daily news and links to other news
outlets as well as provide space for opinions of their contributors. There are hundreds of
such, including blogs, which provide avenue for Nigerians in the Diaspora to contribute
to debates on raging issues in the country.

Major Media Outlets

Print

The Guardian
This newspaper sees itself and is seen as the flagship of the Nigerian press. It is based in
Lagos, published by Chief Alex Ibru, a business magnate from a well heeled family from
Delta State. It is a serious and sober newspaper, which appeals largely to the
upper/middle class. It is respected for its news and opinion pages. The paper is strong on
politics, business, arts, and sports. It has a liberal outlook. It is seen as the most
influential newspaper in the country.

This Day
It is well respected in business and political circles for its news and incisive
analyses/commentaries. It is published in Lagos, but owned by Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, a
businessman/politician from Delta State. It is a serious but jazzy newspaper. It equally
appeals to the middle/upper class. It is noted for breaking news, its comprehensive
coverage of breaking news, its layout/design and its crop of back-page columnists.
Ideologically, it supports free enterprise.

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Punch
Until recently, Punch was the largest circulating newspaper in Nigeria. It is published in
Lagos and owned by the family of the late Chief Olu Aboderin, a Yorubaman. The paper
is bold and sassy. It has extensive operations and is renowned to have the best colour
press in Nigeria. It is strong on sports, entertainment and politics. It is reputed to mirror
the mind of the Yoruba establishment.

Tribune
Presently, Tribune is the oldest paper in Nigeria, having started operation in 1949 (Daily
Times, which started in 1925, is yet to be back on the streets). Tribune is based in Ibadan
and owned by the family of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late patriarch of Yoruba
politics and one of the founding fathers of Nigeria. Tribune’s strength is in politics. It is
seen as the voice of the Yorubas.

Vanguard
Another Lagos-based newspaper owned by Mr. Amuka Pemu, a veteran journalist from
Delta State. It is also a mass-circulating paper in the mould of the Punch. It is strong on
Niger Delta issues, labour issues, sports and entertainment.

Daily Trust
It is published from Abuja and is owned by a group of Northerners. Daily Trust sees itself
and is seen as the voice of the North, especially the Islamic North. It is more critical of
the present administration and its policies than any other newspaper in the country. It is
also renowned for its back-page columnists.

BusinessDay
Based in Lagos, it is the leading all-business daily in Nigeria. It is published in
partnership with Financial Times and a South African company.

Champion
Also published from Lagos, it is owned by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, an Igbo
businessman. It is seen as the voice of the Igbos. It is strong on politics and sports.

The Sun
Published from Lagos, this paper prides itself as the king of Nigeria’s tabloid industry. It
is a relatively new paper, but it is presently the highest circulating paper in the country. It
thrives on the salacious and the sensational is its main fare, though it also serves a
mixture of news, entertainment and commentary. It is owned by Chief Orji Kalu, the
governor of Abia State. The paper follows the politics of its owner, who is always at
loggerheads with the President.

Daily Independent
Also published from Lagos and also owned by a governor (Chief James Ibori of Delta
state), Daily Independent is also a relatively new newspaper. It is a more qualitative
newspaper, but it has not been able to make as much impact as The Sun.

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Newswatch
It pioneered the newsmagazine genre in Nigeria. It was founded by five journalists,
including Dele Giwa, the flamboyant Nigerian journalist who was killed via a parcel
bomb in 1986. The magazine was seriously affected by the tragedy and its closure shortly
after. It is a sober magazine. It parades some well-regarded columnists. It is based in
Lagos.

Tell
This magazine was founded by journalists who broke away from Newswatch. It is bold
and combative. It was one of the publications that campaigned vigorously against
military rule. It is based in Lagos.

The News
This magazine is owned by a group of journalists who resigned from the defunct Concord
Group in anger. The magazine is decidedly combative, with emphasis on investigative
reporting. It pioneered guerilla journalism in Nigeria under the military. It is based in
Lagos.

Broadcast

NTA
The Nigerian Television Authority is still owned by the government. It calls itself
Africa’s biggest network on account of its spread all over the country. The state and
regional stations run their own content, but all tune into the network service during major
news or major broadcasts. Though it tries to be balanced, it is still seen as government
propaganda outlet.

FRCN
Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria is also owned by government. It also has national
spread.

AIT
Africa’s Independent Television is owned by Chief Raymond Dokpesi, a
businessman/politician from Edo State. It broadcasts from Lagos, Abuja and Port-
Harcourt and is also on satellite. It is strong on phone-in and discussion programmes and
entertainment. It has a sister radio station called Raypower.

Channels
It is based in Lagos and owned by Mr. John Momoh, a journalist formerly with NTA. It
has the most compelling news presentation in the broadcast media.

Minaj
This station is based in Obosi, Anambra State, and largely serves the Eastern Nigerian
audience. It is owned by Chief Mike Ajagbo, a former senator and businessman.

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MITV
It is based in Lagos and largely serves the Western Nigerian audience.

Cool FM
This is 96.9 FM, renowned for latest music and its American-accented DJs. It broadcasts
from Lagos and Abuja.

Rhythm
This is 93.7 FM, also renowned for latest music. It also broadcasts from Lagos and
Abuja, and is owned by Mr. Ben Bruce, owner of Silverbird TV and Silverbird Galleria.

News Agency

NAN
It is a government-owned news agency with presence all over the country. It generates
content, which it then sells to media outlets.

Web Addresses

The Guardian: www.ngrguardiannews.com

Thisday: www.thisdayonline.com
Punch: www.punchng.com
Gamji: www.gamji.com
Daily Independent: www.independentng.com
The Sun: www.sunnewsonline.com
Business Day: www.businessdayonline.com
Champion: www.champion-newspapers.com
Nigerian Tribune: www.tribune.com.ng
Vanguard: www.vanguardngr.com
Gleaner News: www.gleanernewsonline.com
Allafrica: www.allafrica.com/nigeria
Newswatch: www.newswatchngr.com
Tell: www.tellng.com

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