Participants at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit have called for stronger collaboration between government, citizens and the med...
Participants at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit have called for stronger collaboration between government, citizens and the media to promote accountability, ethical journalism, responsible digital communication and sustainable national development.
The summit, held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, brought together more than 1,500 participants, while millions of others followed proceedings through television, radio and online streaming platforms.
Organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment in collaboration with the Kano State Government, the summit was themed "Government-Citizen Accord: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice."
The event attracted government officials, media executives, journalists, broadcasters, academics, filmmakers, digital content creators, social media influencers, civil society organisations, youth leaders and communication professionals from across Northern Nigeria.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf declared the summit open, while the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, delivered the keynote address.
Among other dignitaries in attendance were Kano State Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo, Minister of Livestock Development Idi Mukhtar Maiha, representatives of the Deputy President of the Senate, commissioners of information from Kaduna, Kebbi and Jigawa states, officials of the Presidency, and the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Focus on Accountability and Ethical Communication
According to the communiqué issued at the end of the summit, participants examined the relationship between government and citizens, the responsibilities of the media in strengthening democracy, and the growing influence of digital platforms in shaping public opinion.
Three panel sessions focused on government-citizen accountability, ethical media practice in the era of information warfare, and the productive use of social media for community development and civic education.
Participants stressed that democratic governance requires mutual responsibility, noting that governments must provide timely, accurate and accessible information while citizens should engage public affairs constructively and responsibly.
The summit also reaffirmed the media's role as a bridge between government and the people, emphasizing that journalism must remain committed to fairness, accuracy, verification, context and public interest.
Delegates warned against reducing public communication to propaganda or political praise, insisting that democratic discourse must encourage truth, evidence-based reporting, accountability and constructive criticism.
Concern Over Misinformation
The communiqué expressed concern over the growing spread of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, hate speech and sensational reporting, particularly on social media.
Participants urged journalists, broadcasters, online publishers and digital influencers to verify information before publication, openly correct errors and avoid content capable of inflaming tensions or undermining national unity.
They also advocated continuous professional training for media practitioners and stronger collaboration among media organisations, civil society groups, technology platforms and government institutions to combat false information.
Balanced Narrative for Northern Nigeria
The summit observed that Northern Nigeria is frequently portrayed through the lens of insecurity despite its significant contributions in agriculture, commerce, education, culture, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Participants therefore called for a more balanced narrative that honestly reports challenges while also highlighting stories of resilience, creativity, economic growth, technological innovation and community transformation across the region.
They encouraged journalists and digital content creators to give greater visibility to farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, women, youths, educators and innovators contributing to regional development.
Launch of 'Gani Ya Kori Ji' Initiative
As part of efforts to improve public access to information, organisers unveiled the 'Gani Ya Kori Ji' initiative, a regional project inspection and public enlightenment programme designed to provide journalists, digital creators and other stakeholders with firsthand access to major infrastructure and development projects being executed across Northern Nigeria by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and state governments.
Participants welcomed the initiative, describing it as a platform that could strengthen transparency, improve public understanding of government programmes and enable citizens, journalists and civil society organisations to independently verify development projects and hold public institutions accountable.
Key Resolutions
At the end of deliberations, participants resolved to strengthen government-citizen engagement through openness, transparency, accountability and mutual respect.
They urged governments at all levels to improve public access to credible information, deepen communication with citizens and create more opportunities for dialogue.
The summit also resolved to promote ethical journalism based on verification, fairness, balance and public interest while discouraging sensationalism, misinformation and divisive reporting.
Participants further called for responsible reporting of insecurity and conflict, urging media organisations to avoid giving unnecessary publicity to terrorists, bandits and other violent actors.
The communiqué also emphasized the importance of media literacy, digital literacy and civic education in helping citizens identify false information and participate responsibly in public discourse.
Summit to Become Annual Platform
Participants recommended that the Arewa Media Summit be sustained as a regular platform for engagement among governments, media practitioners, academics, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, youth groups and digital communicators.
They also called for follow-up training programmes, regional conversations and partnerships aimed at translating the summit's resolutions into measurable actions.
Appreciation
The summit expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting democratic dialogue and public engagement, while commending Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Kano State Government for hosting the event.
Participants also praised the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for his keynote address and acknowledged the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, for convening the summit.
The communiqué concluded with a collective commitment to promote accountable governance, ethical journalism, responsible digital communication, peaceful coexistence, national unity and sustainable development across Nigeria.
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