The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has inaugurated its new Radio and Television Studio, marking a bold move to amplify civic voices and counter misinformation in Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
This was made known in a statement by the Executive Director of CHRICED, Dr. Zikirullahi M. Ibrahim, during the studio launch held on May 5, 2025, at the organization’s head office in Abuja.
According to Zikirullahi, the CHRICED Radio and Television Studio represents more than a technological milestone; it is a deliberate intervention to reclaim media space from political manipulation and return it to the people. “We are not merely inaugurating a broadcasting facility; we are igniting a beacon of truth, a pillar of justice, and a formidable instrument for civic engagement,” he said.
The facility, situated at Professor Abubakar Momoh House in Gwarimpa, was launched with the support of the MacArthur Foundation. It is grounded on four foundational pillars, Inform, Disseminate, Educate, and Advocate (IDEA) which will guide its content and programming. Through this initiative, CHRICED aims to provide a credible platform for workers, women, youths, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups to tell their stories, challenge false narratives, and participate meaningfully in democratic processes.
Zikirullahi stressed the urgency of such a platform, given Nigeria’s current political climate where freedom of expression is under increasing threat. “Twenty-five years into Nigeria’s democratic journey, we find ourselves at a crossroads,” he noted. “Democracy now faces existential threats from systemic corruption, judicial inconsistencies, and media suppression. But CHRICED refuses to retreat we rise.”
He highlighted the indispensable role of civil society over the past two decades in advancing governance reforms, driving pro-poor policies, and ensuring public accountability. However, he warned that civic actors continue to face harassment, intimidation, and legislative hostility. The studio is thus envisioned as both a refuge and a rallying point for citizens determined to make democracy work.
Paying homage to key figures who inspired CHRICED’s mission, Zikirullahi acknowledged the legacy of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who passed away on May 5, 2010. “He was an uncommon leader committed to electoral reforms and integrity,” he said. The event also honoured the late Professor Abubakar Momoh, CHRICED’s founding chairman, whose visionary leadership laid the foundation for the organization’s advocacy work.
The commissioning of the studio was performed by Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima, Director of the Africa Office at the MacArthur Foundation. The Foundation’s long-standing partnership with CHRICED, spanning three decades, has empowered the organization to develop civic education programs and advocate for human rights across Nigeria.
Zikirullahi concluded with a call to action, inviting all stakeholders—journalists, civic actors, development partners, and everyday citizens—to support the new media platform in fostering transparency, inclusion, and democratic values. “Let us remain unwavering in our pursuit of justice, freedom, and truth,” he urged. “Together, we can shape a Nigeria where democracy is not just spoken of, but truly lived.”
