Kano Denies Being Listed Among Top States Violating Press Freedom
Kano State Government has rejected the recent ranking by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) that placed the state among the top three violators of press freedom in Nigeria.
The State’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, described the report as “misleading, unfounded and malicious,” dismissing it as the product of “armchair analysts” masquerading under the WSCIJ banner.
“The Kano State Government, under His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, categorically rejects this claim,” Waiya said.
“The report does not reflect the true state of media freedom and civic engagement in Kano. Kano remains one of the most media-friendly and journalist-supportive states in the federation.”
Waiya highlighted Governor Yusuf’s record, noting that in his two years in office, he has received multiple awards for media friendliness from leading Nigerian and African publications, including Vanguard, Blueprint, Leadership, This Nigeria, African Leadership Magazine, and African Heritage Magazine. He also received recognition from Independent Newspapers and New Telegraph for contributions to education.
The commissioner added that the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) honoured Governor Yusuf as the “Most Media-Friendly Governor” during its 70th Anniversary in June 2025.
Waiya also pointed to Kano State’s engagement with civil society, including hosting the First Civil Society Organizations Conference and allowing citizens to stage a “Bad Governance” protest without intimidation, which Governor Yusuf personally received.
“Considering these verifiable facts, Kano State cannot, by any credible standard, be classified among states that violate press freedom,” Waiya said.
“We call on the WSCIJ and similar organisations to verify facts and conduct field assessments before releasing reports that misrepresent states genuinely promoting press freedom and civic engagement.”
The commissioner concluded that Kano will continue to uphold free expression, responsible journalism, and open dialogue as pillars of democracy.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
