The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is the official newswire of Nigeria, established by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The agency started operations in 1978. It distributes news to its paying subscribers as well as to the overall public through its website.
Media assets
News agency: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
State Media Matrix Typology:
Ownership and governance
NAN was established through the Decree No. 19 of 1975, which became known as the News Agency of Nigeria Act. The agency was created as a state-owned corporation.
The agency’s highest governing structure is its Board of Directors that consists of eight members; half of them are appointed by the government, including the board chair and the agency’s managing director (both appointed by the President upon recommendation of the information and culture minister).
Source of funding and budget
NAN is majority funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria. In 2020, the agency received a state subsidy of NGN 1.8bn (US$ 4.7m), according to the latest budgetary data available. The subsidy was granted through the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. The agency also generates revenue through sales of subscriptions, mostly institutional clients, either corporations or media outlets.
NAN projected a budget of NGN 2.2 (US$ 5m) for the year 2022. Some NGN 149m was expected to be generated through its own activities.
Editorial independence
NAN is known for its solid coverage, one of the few media able to cover the entire territory of Nigeria. Nevertheless, the agency is merely a government mouthpiece, never criticizing the authorities and always taking on board requests and orders from state bodies and officials.
No domestic statute and no independent mechanism of assessment or oversight to validate the editorial independence of NAN have been identified.
September 2023