Temitayo Olumofe
In early August 2025, the media landscape in Niger State received a chilling blow when Governor Umaru Bago threatened to shut down and demolish Badeggi FM 90.1, a privately owned radio station based in Minna. The announcement sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s journalistic community and human rights advocates, reigniting fears about political intimidation and the erosion of press freedom just ahead of the critical 2027 general elections. Badeggi FM, known for its independent voice and critical commentary, now faces an uncertain future as calls mount for constitutional protections for journalists and media outlets under democracy.
On Friday, August 1, 2025, Governor Bago reportedly ordered the immediate closure of Badeggi FM, revoked its broadcasting licence, and plans to demolish the station’s premises. The governor accused the station of broadcasting unethical content that incited public unrest and undermined his administration’s “New Niger Development Agenda.” He instructed state security agencies to enforce the shutdown and initiated the profiling of the station’s owner, Shuaibu Badeggi.
This action was widely condemned as an overreach and a blatant attempt to silence dissenting voices. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) described the move as “a blatant act of intimidation and an assault on press freedom,” warning that such tactics endanger democratic norms and chill independent journalism across the country. NUJ’s National President, Alhassan Abdullahi, stressed that no state government has constitutional authority to unilaterally revoke broadcast licences or demolish media premises without due process, a prerogative vested only in the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) echoed this condemnation, describing the shutdown and demolition threat as an affront to democracy and a severe suppression of freedom of expression. The NHRC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, emphasized the damage such clampdowns inflict on the public’s right to information and democratic engagement ahead of elections.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Bago on August 2, demanding immediate reversal of the unlawful shutdown decision, reinstatement of Badeggi FM’s licence, withdrawal of the demolition threat, and guarantees for the safety of the station’s owner and staff. SERAP warned that government justification citing “vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations” of incitement is a pretext to silence critical media voices.
The closure of the station, the arbitrary revocation of its licence, a threat to unlawfully demolish its premises, and profiling the station’s owner are all antithetical to the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations, SERAP stated. It further warned that such actions risk discouraging press participation in important public debates, especially with elections looming.
Badeggi FM 90.1 is a private radio station operating in Minna, the capital of Niger State. Its broadcasts cover political analysis, social issues, and government accountability. Under the ownership of Shuaibu Badeggi, the station gained a reputation as an independent platform that criticises government policies perceived as lacking transparency or inclusiveness.
The station’s reporter and technical staff have found themselves on the frontline of a growing crackdown on media houses perceived to challenge state power. The state government’s profiling of Badeggi FM’s owner and threats to reduce the station to rubble reflect a broader hostile environment toward dissenting media.
The station’s closure disrupts not only their ability to inform the public but also undermines democratic discourse in a state where citizens increasingly rely on independent outlets for truthful reporting. Journalists at Badeggi FM face uncertainty, intimidation, and the threat of job losses. The shutdown and demolition threat cast a pall over their safety and freedom to operate.
The situation at Badeggi FM is emblematic of a growing pattern of official suppression targeting media under the guise of national security or public order in Nigeria. According to media observers, Nigerian law, particularly Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, mandates the media’s role to uphold governmental accountability but lacks enforceable statutory freedom or adequate protection mechanisms for journalists, exacerbating vulnerability to political pressure.
The crackdown at Badeggi FM is part of a disturbing trend of escalating political interventions in the media sector across several Nigerian states. Ahead of the 2027 general elections, such actions threaten to erode the fundamental tenets of democracy, including transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.
Media groups warn that state-led clampdowns on independent journalism fuel misinformation by limiting critical voices and narrowing the public information ecosystem. This decline affects governance quality and public trust, while encouraging the proliferation of state-controlled narratives and self-censorship.
Journalist unions and rights organizations are now calling for stronger, constitutionally guaranteed rights for the press to defend themselves from arbitrary government interference. The Nigerian Union of Journalists advocates for legal protections and a media bailout fund to sustain independent journalism in hostile conditions.
The case of Badeggi FM under Governor Bago underscores the fragility of press freedom in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard the media as a pillar of a democratic society. It also highlights the vital role of civil society and international stakeholders in holding governments accountable for media rights violations.
On August 1, 2025, Governor Umaru Bago’s threat to demolish Badeggi FM in Minna sparked widespread condemnation and raised alarms about political intimidation curbing press freedom in Nigeria. As an independent voice dedicated to uncovering truths and holding power accountable, Badeggi FM’s struggle represents the broader fight for media independence and constitutional protections necessary to uphold democracy.
The unfolding situation demands urgent action to protect journalists, reinstate the lawful operations of media houses, and end arbitrary state interventions. Without swift and decisive measures, the climate of fear and repression may deepen, discouraging courageous journalists from performing their watchdog role and ultimately weakening democratic governance. Free and independent media serve as a critical check on power, enabling citizens to make informed decisions and participate meaningfully in society.
Moreover, protecting media freedom is not only essential for democracy but also vital for social stability and national development. When media outlets are stifled, corruption and abuses of power can flourish unchecked, undermining public trust and peace. The story of Badeggi FM is a stark reminder that media freedom is not a given, but a right to be zealously protected against forces that seek to silence it. In preserving this freedom, Nigeria strengthens its democratic foundations for future generations.