The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship hopeful in Oyo State, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, has called for deep introspection within Nigeria’s media industry, asserting that journalists and media owners are not entirely blameless in the country’s socio-political crises.
Agbaje made the assertion while delivering a thought-provoking lecture titled, “Governance, Democracy, Politicians and Society: Bridging the Gap Between Expectation and Delivery” on Tuesday at the third day of the 2025 Press Week organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, held at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan
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The event drew several dignitaries, including former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi; the Zonal Director of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mr Dominic Mokikan; former Iwajowa Local Government Chairman, Hon. Samuel Eegunjobi; and NUJ Chairman, Comrade Ademola Babalola.
In his address, Agbaje argued that while the media occupies a sacred place as the watchdog of society, it has, in some instances, failed to live up to that responsibility due to ethical compromises and undue political influence.
He said, “The media holds a sacred position in shaping public opinion and defending democracy, yet it also contributes to our national problems.”
“It is either the media owners or practitioners themselves are compromised. Someone even advised me to drop that section of my paper, but I refused — because the truth must be told.”
Agbaje maintained that weak institutions, systemic corruption, and poor accountability remain the major impediments to Nigeria’s democratic growth. According to him, the country’s problem is not the absence of democracy, but the absence of democratic values in governance.
“We hold elections regularly, yet the institutions that should translate political power into public good are either weak or compromised,” he observed.
Agbaje urged journalists to recommit themselves to truth, fairness, and integrity, insisting that the media must remain the moral compass of society.
“The pen remains one of the most powerful instruments for change. Journalists must wield it with courage and responsibility, shaping national values and holding leaders accountable.”
Speaking in the same vein, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility for the quality of their leadership, noting that citizens play a decisive role in electing those they later criticise.
“As we move towards the 2027 general elections, we must ask ourselves who chooses the leaders we complain about, it is we, the electorate. We must seek leaders who possess vision, capacity, and noble character,” Farounbi stressed.
Also lending his voice, the FRCN Zonal Director, Mr. Dominic Mokikan, and former council chairman, Hon. Samuel Eegunjobi, encouraged journalists to engage in investigative, issue-based reporting that enlightens the electorate and promotes informed voting.
“The masses depend on journalists for accurate information about political parties and their candidates. The press must therefore organise meaningful debates and focus on issues rather than personalities,” they advised.
Earlier, NUJ Oyo State Council Chairman, Comrade Ademola Babalola, highlighted the milestones recorded by his leadership over the past six years, including the renovation of the union’s facilities, capacity-building programmes for members, and the establishment of a modern ICT Centre equipped with computers, solar power, and inverters.
Babalola described unity and peace among members as one of his administration’s greatest achievements, reaffirming the council’s commitment to promoting professionalism, safety, and ethical standards in journalism practice across Oyo State.
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