Information Minister Urges Unity in Printing Industry, Pledges Support for CIPPON Reforms
Oru Leonard
Abuja, June 30, 2026 – The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on stakeholders in Nigeria’s printing industry to put aside longstanding differences and unite for the growth of the sector.
The minister made the call on Tuesday while speaking at the Printing Industry Stakeholders Summit organised by the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja.
Idris, who described himself as an “honorary member” of the printing profession because of his decades-long involvement in the publishing industry, said the sector had played a significant role in his personal and professional development.
He recalled his early years in the printing and publishing business in Kaduna, where he worked closely with veteran printer and Yaliam Press Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Amfani, praising his resilience and entrepreneurial journey from a modest printing outfit to one of Nigeria’s leading printing conglomerates.
The minister also commended other industry leaders, including Abuja-based printer Marvelous Mike, for their consistency and contributions to the growth of the profession.
Expressing concern over the prolonged internal disputes that have affected CIPPON, Idris lamented that the institute had spent nearly two decades in litigation instead of focusing on advancing the interests of its members.
He urged stakeholders to embrace reconciliation following the court’s recognition of the current leadership under CIPPON President and Chairman of Council, Clement Nwankwo, stressing that unity was essential for the institute to attract government support and unlock opportunities for the industry.
“You don’t have to like the leadership to rally behind it. Think about your profession, your livelihood and the future of the industry,” the minister said.
He disclosed that one of the first petitions he received after assuming office came from CIPPON, prompting him to engage key stakeholders to seek a lasting resolution to the crisis.
According to him, professional associations should devote their resources to development rather than prolonged legal battles.
Drawing parallels with recent efforts to resolve disagreements within the broadcasting industry ahead of Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) rollout, Idris said dialogue and cooperation remained the best path to sustainable progress.
He pledged to continue supporting CIPPON through regular engagement with stakeholders, including participating in future reconciliation meetings aimed at fostering lasting peace within the institute.
The minister also acknowledged the challenges posed by digital technology to the printing industry but maintained that the sector would remain relevant by embracing innovation and adapting to changing realities.
Earlier, CIPPON President and Chairman of Council, Koko T. Clement, credited the minister’s intervention with helping to restore stability to the institute after nearly 19 years of institutional crisis.
He said the governing council, inaugurated in December 2025, had recorded significant achievements within six months, including renewed engagements with key government institutions on policies to strengthen the printing industry.
Clement also announced that the institute had secured national qualification framework accreditation, initiated partnerships with higher institutions to strengthen printing technology education, and intensified engagement with the Bureau of Public Procurement to enforce mandatory CIPPON certification for government printing contracts.
He further revealed that the Nigeria Customs Service had invited CIPPON to a meeting on July 7, 2026, to discuss the removal of import duties on paper, inks, printing machines, spare parts and other raw materials critical to the industry.
According to him, the policy would significantly improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s printing sector, which employs more than four million skilled and unskilled workers, making it one of the country’s largest employers after agriculture.
CIPPON President reiterated the institute’s commitment to reconciliation, stressing that CIPPON bore no grudges against any individual or group and remained focused on advancing the interests of Nigeria’s printing and packaging industry.
Among the milestones highlighted were proposals for the establishment of the Office of the Printer-General of the Federation, efforts to create a Printers Commission of Nigeria, and progress towards the inclusion of CIPPON membership in the federal civil service scheme of service.
He also announced that the institute had secured national qualification framework accreditation, initiated partnerships with higher institutions to strengthen printing technology education, and intensified engagement with the Bureau of Public Procurement to enforce mandatory CIPPON certification for government printing contracts.
Koko reiterated the institute’s commitment to reconciliation, stressing that CIPPON bore no grudges against any individual or group and remained focused on advancing the interests of Nigeria’s printing and packaging industry.
In a goodwill message, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, former Benue State Commissioner for Information and Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Daily Asset Newspaper, expressed solidarity with the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) at its stakeholders’ summit. He commended the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for his outstanding leadership and reforms. Akwaya urged the minister to support the removal of import duties on printing materials, noting that newspaper publishers also rely heavily on imported inputs.
He further appealed for government-backed financing for newspaper publishers and called on stakeholders to support CIPPON’s leadership in advancing the industry.
The Registrar of CIPPON, Mallam Mohammed Ndagi aemphasized that the law establishing the institute mandates that no individual or organization can practice printing in Nigeria without obtaining a licence from the institute. Although the procurement authority acknowledged this requirement in 2015, implementation was later disrupted, prompting a call for its full enforcement. The institute also urged the Minister to ensure that government printing departments are headed by qualified professional printers rather than personnel from unrelated fields. It further appealed for a clear policy directive requiring all printing practitioners in Nigeria to be duly registered and licensed, in strict compliance with the provisions of the institute’s enabling law.
Cover Photo Caption: (L–R), Chief Executive Officer, Kaz Press Ltd., Mr. Ademola Kasumu; Chief Executive Officer, Marvelous MIC, Engr. Micheal Akinola; Chief Executive Officer, Yaliam Press, Alhaji Yahaya Amfani; Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, fnipr; President, Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), Mr. Koko T. Clement; and Registrar, Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), Mallam Abubakar Ndagi, during the Printing Industry Stakeholders Summit organised by the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), held on June 30, 2026, in Abuja. Photo: Khalid Ahmed/FMINO
