The story of Nigeria’s media is the story of Nigeria itself — one of struggle, resilience, adaptation, and reinvention. From the printing presses of the colonial era to the viral hashtags of the digital age, the media has been both a mirror and a motor of the nation’s journey.
Birth of a Tradition
In 1859, Rev. Henry Townsend, a missionary in Abeokuta, founded Iwe Irohin, Nigeria’s first newspaper. What began as a modest Christian publication quickly planted the seeds of a media culture that would outgrow its colonial cradle. By encouraging literacy and debate, Iwe Irohin laid the foundation for a tradition that has shaped public consciousness for more than a century.
The Press as a Weapon of Resistance
As colonial rule deepened, newspapers became more than platforms for information — they became instruments of resistance. In 1937, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe launched the West African Pilot, which soon became the voice of anti-colonial nationalism. Its bold headlines and fiery editorials inspired ordinary Nigerians to demand self-rule.
Azikiwe was not alone. Journalists such as Ernest Ikoli, Anthony Enahoro, and Herbert Macaulay wielded the pen as a weapon, openly defying colonial authorities, even at the risk of imprisonment or exile. Through their work, journalism was transformed into a tool for mobilization — proving that ideas could shake empires.
Media in a New Nation
With independence in 1960 came a new chapter. The role of the media shifted from agitation to nation-building. Radio and television expanded the reach of public discourse, creating shared cultural moments across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), established in 1959, was not only Nigeria’s first TV station but also Africa’s first. Figures like Anike Agbaje-Williams, the first female television presenter, and Cyril Stober, who would later become a household name, gave Nigerians familiar voices and faces to guide them through the new era of self-rule.
Years of Turbulence
But the honeymoon was short-lived. The coups and military dictatorships of the 1960s through the 1990s brought harsh restrictions. Journalists were harassed, newspapers banned, and dissenting voices silenced.
The assassination of Dele Giwa, co-founder of Newswatch magazine, by a parcel bomb in 1986 remains one of the darkest moments in Nigerian journalism. Yet, even in the face of brutality, resilient outlets like The Guardian and Tell magazine continued to publish, often at great personal risk to their reporters and editors. In those decades, journalism became more than a profession — it was an act of defiance.
The Democratic Renewal
The return of democracy in 1999 revived the media. Private ownership flourished, investigative journalism found new energy, and fresh voices emerged. John Momoh’s Channels Television set a new benchmark for professionalism, while broadcasters such as Funke Treasure Durodola reinvented radio for a more engaged, democratic audience.
The Digital Revolution
The 2000s ushered in the digital era. Mobile phones and the Internet transformed Nigeria’s media landscape. Suddenly, news could travel in seconds. Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube turned ordinary citizens into real-time reporters.
During the #EndSARS protests in 2020, young Nigerians livestreamed events, challenged state narratives, and rallied global attention. It was a vivid reminder that the power of media had shifted from a handful of newsrooms to millions of smartphones.
But this revolution has also brought challenges: fake news spreads as quickly as fact, traditional newspapers struggle with shrinking revenues, and journalists compete with influencers for attention. Still, outlets like Premium Times and Channels have harnessed digital tools to strengthen investigative reporting and adapt to changing audiences.
A Hybrid Future
Today, Nigeria’s media is a hybrid of tradition and technology. Print and broadcast remain influential, but digital platforms dominate the national conversation. Podcasts, YouTube shows, and data-driven stories are redefining how young Nigerians consume information.
From Townsend’s humble Iwe Irohin to viral TikTok clips, the Nigerian media has traveled far. Its platforms have changed, but its mission endures: to inform, to question, and to connect.
As Nigeria continues its journey into the digital future, the media will remain both witness and participant — shaping, challenging, and reflecting the nation’s destiny.
Written By Gborogen Rejoice | Edited by Chris Odjomah