The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) is the official newswire of Nigeria. Established by the Federal Government of Nigeria, it started operations in 1978. Through its website, it distributes news to its paying subscribers and the general public.
Media assets
News agency: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
NAN was established through 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, which 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 funded mainly by the Nigerian federal government. In 2020, the agency received a state subsidy of NGN 1.8bn (US$ 4.7m), according to budgetary data. 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. In 2023, NAN received a state subsidy of 2.77bn (US$ 3.6m), according a Nigerian state budget document.
Editorial independence
NAN is known for its solid coverage, being one of the few media in the country with the capacity 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.
July 2024