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Media Critique: Elevating Nigerian Television News Programming Beyond the Surface

Introduction

On August 30, 2025, Nigeria’s leading current affairs television programmes, across Channels TV, TVC News, Arise News, and AIT, offered a familiar menu of political commentary, economic analysis, and security updates. While these discussions were timely and relevant, they often echoed the same voices and perspectives, leaving critical gaps in representation, depth, and innovation. This critique seeks to highlight not only what was said, but more importantly, what was left unsaid.

What Worked: Strengths Worth Applauding

The day’s programming demonstrated commendable strengths. First, the timeliness and relevance of topics stood out. From the fuel subsidy removal to cabinet reshuffles and regional insecurity, the issues discussed were undeniably urgent and central to Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.

Second, the use of expert panels added intellectual weight to the conversations. Political analysts, economists, and seasoned journalists provided layered insights, helping viewers understand the strategic implications of government decisions.

Third, the production quality across networks remained high. Clear visuals, structured segments, and professional moderation ensured that the broadcasts were accessible and engaging.

Yet, despite these strengths, the programming fell short in several key areas, areas that, if addressed, could transform Nigerian media into a more inclusive and solution-oriented force.

What’s Missing: Gaps That Undermine the Conversation

Citizen Voices: The Silenced Majority

One of the most glaring omissions was the absence of everyday Nigerians in the conversation. Policies like fuel subsidy removal and economic reforms were dissected by experts, but the voices of those most affected, transport workers, market women, students, and artisans, were conspicuously missing.

This disconnect creates a media echo chamber where decisions are analyzed without the lived experiences that give them context. Including grassroots voices would not only humanize the issues but also hold policymakers accountable to real-world consequences.

Youth Innovation: Beyond Unemployment

Youth unemployment was a recurring theme, but the coverage lacked imagination. Discussions focused on joblessness and frustration, with little attention paid to youth-led solutions, tech startups, creative enterprises, and community initiatives that are actively reshaping Nigeria’s future.

By failing to spotlight these efforts, the media misses an opportunity to inspire, inform, and empower. The narrative around youth should evolve from one of helplessness to one of agency and innovation.

Regional Nuance: One Nigeria, Many Realities

National issues were often discussed in broad strokes, glossing over the regional disparities that define Nigeria’s complexity. Insecurity in the North-West, environmental degradation in the South-South, and economic marginalization in the South-East each require tailored analysis.

Without this nuance, media coverage risks reinforcing a one-size-fits-all narrative that obscures the unique challenges, and solutions, within each geopolitical zone.

Data Deficiency: Opinion Over Evidence

Many debates leaned heavily on anecdote and speculation. There was a noticeable absence of empirical data, poverty indices, inflation trends, crime statistics, that could have grounded the discussions in fact.

This lack of data weakens the credibility of arguments and deprives viewers of the tools needed to form informed opinions. Nigerian media must embrace data journalism not as a luxury, but as a necessity.

Diaspora & Global Context: Untapped Potential

Finally, none of the programmes explored the role of the Nigerian diaspora or situated Nigeria’s challenges within a global framework. With millions of Nigerians living abroad and contributing through remittances, expertise, and advocacy, their absence from the conversation is a missed opportunity.

Moreover, comparing Nigeria’s policy choices with those of similar economies could offer valuable lessons and alternatives. Media must begin to think globally while acting locally.

Recommendations: A Blueprint for Better Telecast and Balance Coverage

To address these gaps, Nigerian media practitioners should consider the following:

• Diversify Guest Profiles: Include civil society leaders, youth innovators, and marginalized voices to enrich the conversation.
• Use Data Creatively: Integrate infographics, polls, and verified statistics to support claims and engage viewers.
• Regional Reporting: Develop segments that spotlight local realities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
• Follow-Up Journalism: Revisit past stories to track progress, accountability, or regression.
• Encourage Solutions Journalism: Highlight not just problems, but the people and ideas working to solve them.

Last Line of Action

Nigeria’s media is at a crossroads. We know the obvious limitations of the technological box. But we also know that the same technological box can be bridged with creativity and spherical considerations on given topical issues. It can continue to echo elite perspectives and rehearse familiar debates, or it can evolve into a platform that reflects the full spectrum of Nigerian life. By embracing inclusivity, data, and innovation, our newsrooms can become engines of national renewal.

The stories that matter most are often those that go unheard. It’s time to listen differently.