The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) must continue to strengthen its position as a credible source of authentic, objective and balanced journalism, the agency’s newly appointed Editor-in-Chief, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu, has said.
Mohammed-Aliyu made the remarks while discussing the responsibilities attached to her new position and the need for NAN to maintain its editorial standards in an era when information spreads rapidly through social media.
Speed Should Not Come Before Verification
According to the Editor-in-Chief, NAN may not always be the first platform to report breaking developments because of the speed at which information circulates online.
However, she said the agency’s competitive advantage should remain its ability to investigate, verify and provide the facts behind major events.
She stressed that journalists should resist the pressure to publish information simply because it is trending, particularly when the facts surrounding an incident have not been established.
For Mohammed-Aliyu, the agency’s role goes beyond being first to report an event.
It is also about giving the public information they can trust after proper checks have been carried out.
Credibility Built Over Decades Must Be Protected
The Editor-in-Chief noted that NAN has spent decades building a reputation for reliable and carefully researched journalism, adding that the credibility attached to the agency must not be compromised.
She said the public should be able to associate any report published by NAN with authenticity, fairness and thorough research.
That reputation, she maintained, is one of the agency’s most important assets and must be protected through consistent adherence to professional journalism standards.
Historic Appointment Brings a Sense of Fulfilment
Mohammed-Aliyu, who has spent 34 years serving the agency, also expressed satisfaction at becoming NAN’s first female Editor-in-Chief.
She described the appointment as a significant personal achievement and an important milestone for the organisation, coming more than four decades after NAN was established.
The Editor-in-Chief said she felt particularly fulfilled that her long years of service had culminated in an opportunity to lead the agency’s editorial operations.
Leadership Comes With Greater Responsibility
Despite her achievement, Mohammed-Aliyu said becoming Editor-in-Chief was never a personal target during her career.
She acknowledged that the position comes with increased responsibilities and requires a collective effort from members of the editorial department to ensure NAN continues to fulfil its mandate.
She therefore called on newsroom staff to maintain a strong spirit of cooperation, unity and mutual support.
Teamwork Essential to NAN’s Mission
According to her, journalists and editors must work together because they share the same institutional objectives and are ultimately pursuing the same mission.
She urged staff members to assist one another when carrying out assignments and to contribute to a working environment where colleagues can perform their responsibilities effectively.
The Editor-in-Chief said a supportive newsroom would help improve both the quality of reports and the overall performance of the agency.
Journalists Urged to Investigate Before Publishing
Mohammed-Aliyu also cautioned NAN journalists against rushing to publish rumours or unverified claims.
She encouraged reporters to investigate developments thoroughly, establish what actually happened and only then proceed with publication.
She said this approach was central to the integrity NAN has developed over the years and was necessary to maintain the confidence Nigerians place in its reports.
Accuracy Remains NAN’s Core Responsibility
The Editor-in-Chief’s message comes at a time when social media platforms have dramatically changed the speed at which Nigerians receive information.
While acknowledging the importance of keeping pace with the changing media environment, she emphasised that accuracy, fairness and authenticity must remain at the heart of NAN’s journalism.
She said the agency’s continued credibility would depend on its ability to distinguish verified facts from rumours and provide the public with reports that have been properly investigated.
What’s Next for NAN
Under Mohammed-Aliyu’s leadership, the agency is expected to continue placing strong emphasis on verification, investigative reporting, editorial cooperation and professional standards.
Her call for journalists to prioritise facts over speed signals an approach focused on protecting NAN’s long-established reputation while adapting to an increasingly fast-moving news environment.
Summary
Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu has urged the News Agency of Nigeria to remain committed to accurate, balanced and well-researched journalism despite the growing dominance of rapid social media reporting.
After 34 years with the agency, her appointment as NAN’s first female Editor-in-Chief marks a significant milestone.
She has called for greater teamwork within the newsroom and urged journalists to investigate and verify information before publication, stressing that credibility and public trust must remain central to NAN’s mandate.
