The Kano State Government has dismissed a recent report by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) that placed the state among the top three in Nigeria violating press freedom.
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In a statement released on Thursday, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, described the report as “misleading, unfounded, and malicious.” He insisted that the report does not reflect the true media environment in Kano, which he said remains among the most open and media-friendly states in the country.
Waiya emphasized that under Governor Abba Yusuf, the state has consistently supported press freedom, responsible journalism, and civic engagement. The governor has been recognized with several awards for being media-friendly, and the government has actively engaged the press, including hosting the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ National Executive Council meeting and establishing the Online Journalists’ Chapel.
Highlighting the administration’s commitment to transparency, Waiya pointed to initiatives aimed at improving access to information, including efforts to domesticate the Freedom of Information Act in Kano. He also cited recent events such as the Civil Society Conference and the governor’s handling of a “Bad Governance” protest as examples of the state’s respect for free expression and civic rights.
The commissioner urged WSCIJ to verify its findings before publishing reports that could misrepresent states that genuinely promote and protect press freedom.
