Shettima to Lead Dignitaries to IPI Nigeria 2025 Conference

Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to headline a large gathering of prominent figures at the 2025 International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria Annual Conference and General Meeting scheduled for December 2 and 3 at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja.

The turnout of top government officials, media executives and academics reflects the importance of the institute’s yearly engagement with the media community. Among those expected are Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi; Registrar of Baze University, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi; former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; former presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu; and former State Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Lawal Kazaure.

Also listed for attendance are Executive Director of IPI Global, Scott Griffen, and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba. Presidents of major media associations in the country are invited, including Maiden Alex-Ibru of NPAN, Eze Anaba of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Danlami Nmodu of GOCOP, and Alhassan Yahya Abdul of the NUJ.

Heads of federal media agencies will also be present. They include the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu; the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jubrin Baba Ndace; the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mohammed Bulama; Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Dembos; and the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Ali M. Ali.

Other notable participants are former SGF Director of Information, Haruna Imrana; former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Gbemiga Ogunleye; IPI Global Board Member, Raheem Adedoyin; Associate Professor of Mass Communication at Bayero University, Sule Yau Sule; and PRNigeria publisher, Yushau Shuaib.

Shettima will chair the opening session, while Minister Idris will deliver a special address. Griffen is billed to present a message from IPI headquarters in Vienna. The conference will also feature the public presentation of IPI Nigeria’s Book of Infamy, to be unveiled by Professor Adeniyi. A surprise honorary recognition, coordinated by IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, is also planned.

The first paper, focusing on media repression and press freedom in Nigeria, will be delivered by Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda. The panel will be moderated by Funke Egbemode and will include Lanre Arogundade, Benjamin Hundeyin, Busola Ajibola and Idayat Hassan.

The second session will examine sustainability challenges in the Nigerian media industry. It will be led by Isiaq Ajibola, President/CEO of CBD MediaEdge Communications. Panelists will include Channels Television Vice-Chair, Olusola Momoh; Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP, Azu Ishiekwene; and MacArthur Foundation Nigeria Director, Kole Shettima. The second session will be moderated by Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Director of the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) at the University of Lagos

The final day of the event will be restricted to IPI Nigeria members and will conclude with the induction of new members.