Vice President Kashim Shettima is set to lead a distinguished lineup of Nigerian leaders at the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2025.
The conference, highlighting IPI’s commitment to press freedom and media development, will hold on December 2 and 3 at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja’s Central Business District.
Key attendees include the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi; Abiodun Adeniyi, Professor of Mass Communication and Registrar of Baze University; former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; former presidential spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu; and former State Chief of Protocol to ex-President Buhari, Ambassador Lawal Kazaure.
Other notable participants are the Executive Director of IPI Global, Scott Griffen; former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba; and the presidents of major media associations, including NPAN, NGE, GOCOP, and NUJ. Heads of agencies under the Ministry of Information such as NOA, VON, FRCN, NTA, and NAN will also attend.
The conference program includes keynote addresses, panel discussions, and presentations on issues such as media repression, press freedom, and sustainable media operations in Nigeria. Shettima will chair the conference, while Minister Idris delivers a special remark and Griffen presents a message of solidarity from IPI headquarters in Vienna.
The first session, Addressing Media Repression in Nigeria: Safeguarding Press Freedom and Democratic Accountability, will be presented by Edetaen Ojo of Media Rights Agenda and moderated by Funke Egbemode. Panelists include Lanre Arogundade (International Press Centre), Benjamin Hundeyin (Force PRO), Busola Ajibola (CJID), and Idayat Hassan (Office of the National Security Adviser).
The second session, Building Sustainable Media in Nigeria: Navigating Innovation, Credibility, and Revenue Challenges, will be delivered by Isiaq Ajibola (CBD MediaEdge Communications) and feature a panel including Olusola Momoh (Channels Television), Azu Ishiekwene (LEADERSHIP), and Kole Shettima (MacArthur Foundation). Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika of UNILAG will moderate.
The second day will be exclusive to IPI Nigeria members, culminating in the induction of new members.
