COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: March 2026
This profile refers to journalists and other media workers perceived by the Nigerian authorities as critical of the government. Sensitive topics include reporting on corruption, abuse of power, fraud, diversion of public funds against Nigerian officials as well as protests against the government. For journalists unsupportive of the pro-Biafra cause see 3.4. Individuals perceived as not supporting the pro-Biafra cause.
The analysis below is based on the following EUAA COI report: Country Focus 2025, 2.6.; Country Guidance should not be referred to as a source of COI.
Step 1: Do the reported acts amount to persecution?
Acts to which journalists and other media workers could be exposed are of such severe nature that they would amount to persecution. More specifically, certain laws obstruct the work of journalists and have led to arbitrary arrests and detentions. Physical attacks have also been documented. State security agencies, including the military and intelligence services were responsible for more attacks on journalists than any other actor.
The severity and/or repetitiveness of other acts that journalists and media workers could be subjected to and whether they occur as an accumulation of various measures, should also be considered. More specifically, governmental interference in the news media remains ‘significant’, taking the form of pressure, harassment of journalists and outlets, and, in some cases, censorship. Security agencies intimidated journalists, including editors and media owners, particularly in response to coverage perceived as critical of the government.
Step 2: What is the level of risk of persecution?
A well-founded fear of persecution would in general be substantiated for journalists and other media workers perceived as critical of the authorities, owing to the content of their work.
Step 3: Is there a ground for persecution?
Persecution of individuals under this profile is highly likely be for reasons of political opinion, as such journalists and media workers are viewed as critical of the authorities’ policies and/or conduct.