Abuja, Nigeria – June 12, 2025 — Security operatives on Wednesday barred journalists from accessing the National Assembly complex as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepared to address a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives in commemoration of Democracy Day.
According to reports, accredited members of the State House Press Corps and National Assembly correspondents were denied entry into the chamber, raising concerns over transparency and media freedom.
The unusual restriction was met with sharp reactions from journalists and civil society observers who described the action as unprecedented in recent democratic history. No official explanation was given at the time of filing this report.
President Tinubu is expected to address lawmakers on the state of the nation, key legislative priorities, and his administration’s democratic agenda.
Some media advocacy groups have called on the leadership of the National Assembly to uphold press freedom and ensure open access to public proceedings in line with Nigeria’s democratic principles.
