Information Minister dismisses claims of Press Briefing relocation to London

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Federal Government’s Ministerial Press Briefing Session has been moved from Abuja to London.

Speaking at the opening of the eighth edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing at the National Press Centre in Abuja, Idris clarified that the sessions remain firmly rooted in Nigeria. The event was attended by the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev; and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.

“This serves as a response to the insinuation that the briefing has been relocated abroad. Our primary duty is to Nigerians, which is why ministers address citizens and the world directly from Abuja, not from London or elsewhere,” Idris stated.

Supporting his remarks, Senator Umahi, who was inaccurately identified in reports as being among those scheduled to present President Bola Tinubu’s achievements in London, also supported the minister’s stance, describing the claims as baseless.

During the briefing, Idris highlighted positive developments in the nation’s economy, revealing that Nigeria’s inflation rate dropped to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% recorded in March, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The minister attributed this improvement to President Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly those aimed at stabilising food prices. He reported a decline in the food inflation rate to 21.26% year-on-year, while month-on-month food inflation decreased to 2.06% from 2.18%.

Idris acknowledged that challenges persist but emphasised that the latest economic data reflects the positive impact of the administration’s decisive measures, which are gradually restoring stability and boosting consumer confidence.

He concluded by calling on the media to report these developments responsibly and accurately, reaffirming the government’s commitment to accountability to the Nigerian public.