Compiled by Oyelami Temitope Olaoluwa

1. OYELAMI TEMITOPE OLAOLUWA
QUESTION: - History of the Print Media in Nigeria
The history of print media in Nigeria goes as far back as the 1840s when the
European missionaries established community newspapers to propagate Christianity. This initiative later
gave rise to the establishment of newspaper outfits likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe in 1937; title “West
African Pilot”, Azikwe’s paper pioneered a general protest against attainment of independence in 1960.
The New Nigeria Newspaper Limited, with its head office along Ahmadu Bello way Kaduna, was
established by the then government of the northern region on 23 rd October 1964. The first copy of the
paper was issued on 1st January 1966. Its initial name was Northern Nigerian Newspapers Limited, but
when states were created it was changed to New Nigeria Newspaper Limited up till today.
Before the establishment of NNN, The Northern Nigeria Government had established a Hausa
Newspaper in Zaria called Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo in 1965. In March 1973, the company set up the southern
plant alongside the one in kaduna. They simultaneously printed newspapers which enhanced the wide
spread of newspaper in Kaduna and Lagos.
As at today, Nigeria has various newspapers ranging from the Nigerian Tribune – established 16 th
November, 1949. The Punch, The Vanguard, The Pilot, The Sun, The Weed Kay, This Day, etc. at present,
Nigeria have a number of language papers ranging from Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Itsekiri and so on.