The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that media organisations operate as profit-driven businesses and not charitable institutions, amid a dispute over land allocation comments involving Channels Television.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday while responding to a rebuttal issued by the television station, which had denied his earlier claim that it benefits from land allocations in Abuja.
The controversy began after the minister, during a media briefing on Wednesday, suggested that the media organisation had benefited from government land allocation. Channels Television later responded, insisting that it had fulfilled all land-related obligations since 2007.
Reacting through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike maintained that media houses are commercial entities that generate revenue through advertising, sponsored content, and live coverage services.
He argued that such organisations are businesses structured to make profit, pay staff salaries, and sustain operations, rather than operate as charitable institutions.
Wike further questioned why it would be considered inappropriate for media organisations to receive land allocations from government, while similar allocations to other entities are not disputed.
He insisted that since government does not sell land in the FCT but allocates it for development, there is no inconsistency in granting land to media organisations for business purposes.
The minister maintained that media establishments generate income from their operations and therefore benefit commercially from such allocations.
