The IPI also included the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in the blacklist for continued police harassment and attacks on journalists.
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has said that repeated violations of press freedom and intimidation of journalists are the basis for including Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, and Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun in its Book of Infamy.
On Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported tha the Niger and Akwa Ibom state governors, Umar Bago and Umo Eno respectively, had been blacklisted by IPI Nigeria as the worst offenders of media repression in the country.
The IPI also included the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in the blacklist for continued police harassment and attacks on journalists.
This was made known on Tuesday during the IPI Annual Conference in Abuja, attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
At the conference, IPI President Musikilu Mojeed said the governors and the police chief had consistently prevented journalists from performing their legitimate responsibilities.
“Today, we are compelled to add three Nigerian public officials to the IPI Nigeria Book of Infamy. Their actions represent serious violations of press freedom and democratic norms, making them the first set of individuals to earn a place in this accountability record,” it said.
Governor Bago was included for ordering the closure of an independent radio station in Minna.
IPI Nigeria said, “On 1 August 2025, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago ordered the closure of Badegi 90.1 FM, an independent radio station in Minna.
“Speaking at a meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he directed the Commissioner for Homeland Security and the Commissioner of Police to seal the station and to profile its owner simply for being critical of his administration. The station was forcibly shut the next day.”
The organisation also highlighted previous harassment of journalists in Niger State.
It said, “In January 2025, Yakubu Mustapha, Niger State correspondent for Peoples Daily and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel (NUJ), was detained for three days after circulating an article critical of the governor’s media aide.”
Another case cited involved a foreign correspondent. IPI Nigeria reported, “In November 2023, Mustapha Nasiru Batsari, Niger State correspondent for the Voice of America, was reportedly assaulted by a commissioner in Mr Bago’s cabinet after requesting an interview on a deadly farmers’ clash in Beji, Bosso LGA.”
Because of these repeated violations, the organisation said Governor Bago’s actions were unacceptable.
It stated, “Governor Bago’s conduct is undemocratic, unconstitutional, and unacceptable. For these reasons, he is hereby listed in the IPI Nigeria Book of Infamy.”
Egbetokun was included for systematic harassment of journalists by police under his leadership.
IPI Nigeria said, “On 26 August 2025, IPI Nigeria condemned the arrest, detention, and sustained harassment of Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub and former journalist with ThisDay, by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.”
The organisation explained that these actions were linked to professional reporting.
It added, “Ms Ogujiuba was targeted for performing her professional duty of reporting on a land dispute before the courts. Instead of respecting her constitutional right to press freedom, the police deployed intimidation: unlawful detention, repeated summons to Abuja despite her residing in Lagos, and two separate arrests.”
IPI Nigeria further noted the problem was widespread.
It said, “Since Ms Ogujiuba’s case, more journalists have been unlawfully detained or assaulted by police commands across the country, including Abdulaziz Aliyu of Waraka Online TV (Kano State Police Command) Nasir Yelwa, Nigerian correspondent for the Iranian News Agency, while covering protests in Abuja (FCT Command) Sodeeq Atanda of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (Ekiti State Police Command).”
The organisation said Egbetokun’s failure to address these violations warranted his inclusion.
It stated, “For failing to uphold his constitutional duties and allowing systematic media repression, Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun is hereby listed in the IPI Nigeria Book of Infamy.”
Governor Umo Eno was included for actions against Channels Television reporters.
IPI Nigeria said, “On 24 May 2025, the Akwa Ibom State Government expelled Christopher Moffat and Kufre Ikpe of Channels Television from the Government House Press Centre. The reporters were barred from covering state activities after exposing an undemocratic remark by Governor Umo Eno—an incident the administration sought to conceal.”
The organisation emphasised the ongoing nature of the ban.
It added, “For refusing to reverse his administration’s repressive actions and for perpetuating a climate hostile to journalists, Governor Umo Eno is hereby listed in the IPI Nigeria Book of Infamy.”
IPI Nigeria concluded by stressing accountability, saying, “IPI Nigeria maintains that public officials who abuse power to intimidate or silence the press must be held accountable. The inclusion of these three officials in the Book of Infamy signals our unwavering commitment to defending press freedom and ensuring that constitutional violations do not go unanswered.”