The Acting Nat’l President of the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP), Comr. Akpovoke Otiti, who is also the Editor-in-Chief of AjaziralReport Newspaper, has criticised the growing use of the term “Soft Nigeria,” describing it as a misleading narrative that downplays the economic realities faced by citizens.
Otiti argued that the concept of “Soft Nigeria” is a product of the hardship imposed on Nigerians through what he described as poor policy implementation by the present administration. According to him, the phrase appears to have been coined to project a more favourable image of the country despite worsening living conditions.
He stressed that the media has a responsibility to reflect the true state of affairs, rather than align with what he called an attempt by the political class to rebrand the country’s image. “The media must portray the real hardship to the world, not join forces to promote a narrative that does not reflect the daily struggles of Nigerians,” he said.
The media executive further warned that masking reality with soft narratives could deepen public frustration and erode trust in both the government and the media. He maintained that honest reporting remains essential in holding leaders accountable and ensuring that citizens’ voices are not silenced.
Otiti’s remarks come amid persistent economic challenges in the country, as many Nigerians continue to grapple with rising cost of living, inflation, and declining purchasing power.
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