The Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria (SDNON) convened its much-anticipated 3rd Annual Digital Media Summit on November 13, 2025, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference Centre in Alausa.
This high-profile gathering brought together a diverse mix of journalists, editors, media executives, technology experts, and human rights advocates to dissect the evolving nexus of digital media regulation, law, and Nigeria’s broader economic framework.
Under the theme ‘Policy Shifts in Cyber Law and Taxation: What They Mean for the Media and Nigeria’s Economy,’ the summit served as a pivotal forum for addressing Nigeria’s swiftly transforming regulatory environment.
Key discussion topics included the implications of the Cybercrime Act, the impending tax reforms taking effect in 2026, and the urgent responsibilities that digital media practitioners face amid a rapidly changing information landscape.
The event opened with a passionate address by Mr Shaba Gbenga, Vice President of SDNON, who represented the association’s leadership in the temporary absence of the President.
Gbenga underscored the necessity for media professionals to stay ahead of regulatory changes, especially considering Nigeria’s approaching 2026 policy reforms and the consequential 2027 election cycle.
SDNON welcomed Bill Killorn, Executive Director of the Canadian-based NGO Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), as the guest speaker.
Killorn’s organisation is globally recognised for empowering journalists and civil society in the defence of human rights and democratic governance.
His address stressed the role that responsible journalism must play in preserving democratic values as digital media faces mounting regulatory pressures.
In a special moment of recognition, Killorn received an Award of Excellence from SDNON, presented by Gbenga Shaba alongside Public Relations Officer Kanyinulia Okeke and keynote speaker, Barrister Q.A. Afolabi.
This accolade celebrated Killorn’s contributions to global media development and human rights advocacy.
Central to the summit were two keynote sessions. Barrister Q.A. Afolabi, a respected authority on digital policy, offered an in-depth analysis of cyber law’s current shifts.
He examined how these changes affect press freedom, content regulation, and the frameworks that hold digital media accountable.
Following Afolabi, Christopher Dike of the Association of Chartered Taxation Institute (ACTI) presented insights into Nigeria’s forthcoming tax reforms.
Dike elucidated how these policy changes could potentially affect media businesses, content creators, and the wider digital economy, stressing the need for adaptation among digital publishers and related stakeholders.
The first panel session, moderated by Olufisola Ige-Lahanmi, homed in on the Cybercrime Act’s impact on journalism and freedom of expression.
Panellists pointed out what they termed serious concerns about the law’s misuse, citing cases where journalists have been detained without warrants under charges like cyberstalking, actions they argued undermine constitutionally guaranteed rights.
Kehinde Adegboyega, a human rights activist, called for urgent reforms to prevent such abuse of the Cybercrime Act.
Jumoke Falayi-Johnson, President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), addressed the growing prevalence of technology-enabled gender violence, revealing that 73% of women journalists have experienced online harassment, with 10 to 20 per cent facing threats extending into physical harm.
Falayi-Johnson urged journalists to prioritise safety and leverage professional networks for protection.
Onoride “Onos” Akusu, a communications expert, emphasised the importance of educating clients on data privacy, fostering audience communities, and retaining control over digital brand narratives to safeguard reputations in an increasingly complex media environment.
The second panel, moderated by Seunmanuel Faleye, focused on the nuances of Nigeria’s upcoming taxation policies.
The session attracted active participation from attendees eager to understand how the 2026 tax reforms would influence digital publishers, media entrepreneurs, and small business owners operating within the digital ecosystem.
Christopher Dike and Allison Olusegun Chucks guided the audience through key compliance requirements, potential exemptions, and broader economic impacts, demystifying complex tax legislation in ways relevant to practitioners on the ground.
A highlight of the summit was the involvement of students from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), who engaged panellists with insightful questions, gaining invaluable real-world perspectives on the intersecting challenges of media, law, and economics in Nigeria.
Later in the program, SDNON President Adeniyi Ifetayo addressed the attendees, articulating the association’s strategic vision and reaffirming digital publishers’ vital role in shaping Nigeria’s national discourse.
Former SDNON President, Otunba Femi Davies, also spoke, reminding participants of the pressing need to prepare for the transformative tax policy set to roll out in 2026.
The summit embraced broad professional solidarity, with participation from several sister organisations and industry bodies: Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) Nigeria Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE), League of Online Publishers and Editors (LOPE), represented by Justice Winners and Madam Favour Benson.
The event was further energised thanks to beverage sponsorship from Viju, which helped keep participants refreshed during the all-day sessions.
In closing remarks, Mr Wale Onifade, Chairman of the Planning Committee, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for their active engagement and wished everyone a safe journey home.
#SDNON2025 #DigitalMediaSummit #CyberLawNigeria #MediaTaxReform #DigitalJournalism #NigeriaMedia #PressFreedom #MediaRegulation #JournalismSafety #DigitalEconomy
All rights reserved. The content on this website, including text and other digital materials, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of The News Accelerator Network.
For advertising inquiries, news coverage, or press releases, please get in touch with us at
📧 thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com
📞 08051017159, 08173970030
Kindly follow us on: https://www.facebook.com/thenewsaccelerator
You can also subscribe to our YouTube channels here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVELRC3WinKZ7tdmhmZaRmQ?sub_confirmation=1
إرسال تعليق