The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly denied claims that the Ministerial Press Briefing Session is being moved from Abuja to London, labeling such reports as false and misleading.
At the eighth edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing held at the National Press Centre in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, clarified the situation. Speaking to journalists, Idris said the speculations were entirely unfounded and that the Federal Government remains committed to engaging Nigerians directly from the nation’s capital.
“This is your answer to the insinuation that the press briefing session is relocating abroad,” Idris said. “We have a responsibility first to the Nigerian people, which is why we invite ministers to this press centre in Abuja to brief the media and, by extension, the public.”
The briefing was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev; and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
Senator Umahi, who was allegedly named among those scheduled to speak at a supposed London-based briefing, reinforced Idris’s statement. “There is no truth to the report,” Umahi said. “The press briefing is here in Nigeria. We are committed to transparency and accountability, and that starts right here, not abroad.”
While addressing the press, Idris also highlighted recent economic gains, citing a marked reduction in Nigeria’s inflation rate as evidence that the Tinubu administration’s policies are beginning to yield results.
He referenced the April 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which showed a decline in headline inflation to 23.71%, down from 24.23% in March—a drop of 0.52%. Month-on-month inflation also declined sharply from 3.90% to 1.86%, signaling early signs of macroeconomic stability.
“This has not happened by chance. The President’s focused economic interventions are clearly paying off. The benefits of reform, though gradual, are real and measurable,” the minister said.
One of the most notable areas of improvement, according to the Minister, is in food inflation—a key contributor to economic hardship for many Nigerians. Idris said the food inflation rate eased to 21.26% year-on-year in April, while the month-on-month rate dropped to 2.06% from 2.18% in March.
He attributed the progress to ongoing federal interventions in the agricultural and food distribution sectors, leading to price reductions in staple items such as maize flour, wheat grain, yam flour, okro, soya beans, rice, and beans.
“These numbers reflect the government’s dedication to easing the burden on Nigerian households. While we are not yet where we want to be, these improvements are encouraging and show that we are on the right path,” Idris added.
The Minister used the platform to call on the media to report developments accurately and constructively. He emphasized that while the government remains accountable to the people, misinformation can undermine national progress and trust.
“Nigeria is turning a corner,” Idris stated. “We urge the media to be partners in nation-building by highlighting progress responsibly, even as they hold the government accountable.”
He reassured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration remains focused on people-centered policies aimed at providing economic relief, stabilizing markets, and promoting inclusive prosperity.