Despite constitutional protections, Nigeria’s commitment to freedom of expression faces serious challenges. This is confirmed in the 2024 Openness Index released by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
Launched on July 31st, the CJID Openness Index is the country’s first systematic evaluation of how Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory fare in enabling expression, participation, and media freedom.
The assessment draws from over 1,100 respondents and verified incident reports, rating each state on seven key indicators, including journalist treatment, political environment, legal environment, economic environment, social and cultural context, journalistic principles and practice, and gender inclusion.
States like Anambra, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Imo emerged as the worst performers, scoring below 50 percent on media independence, political tolerance and security force conduct.
While federal institutions often draw the spotlight, the Index clarifies that state governments play an equally decisive role in shrinking civic freedoms in their domains. For instance, a day after the Index was released, Niger state Governor Umaru Bago ordered the revocation of Badegi Radio’s license after he unilaterally accused the station of inciting public unrest. The move quickly triggered backlash from civil societies.
“This act of censorship and intimidation undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society, where a free press is essential for holding those in power accountable,” said the Nigerian Guild of Editors, describing the move as an outright assault on press freedom.
The governor’s action marks an obvious escalation in a state that ranks 11th on the Index. This reinforces its position as one of Nigeria’s most hostile environments for journalists and independent media.
In contrast, Cross River state emerged as the most open in the country. Respondents affirmed its tolerant political climate, few instances of media harassment, and transparency from public institutions.
The report reads, “Media professionals in Cross River reported minimal interference in their work, and civil society actors described constructive engagement with public officials. The Press Attack Tracker (PAT) data recorded only minor incidents, reinforcing the perception that Cross River offers a safer and more enabling environment for expression and civic activity.
“While no state had perfect scores, Cross River stands as a model of how openness can flourish even within the purview of the same national constraints faced by other states, proving that state‑level leadership and culture matter.”
At the other end of the spectrum, Bauchi state ranked 35th and has developed a reputation for attacks on journalists. In February 2023, security forces arrested Haruna Mohammed Salisu, publisher of WikkiTimes, an online investigative platform, following orders from state governor Bala Mohammed. The situation worsened in August 2024 when security personnel attached to the governor threatened journalists in the line of duty.
“Beyond the index, we have very clear incidents of press and media attacks that make it difficult for journalism to be done,” said Akintunde Babatunde, Executive Director of CJID.
