By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has suspended Mr Steve Osuji for breaching confidentiality rules during its 25th Biennial National Convention held in Enugu.
According to a statement signed by Guild President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, the decision follows Mr Osuji’s unauthorised publication of content derived from a keynote address that was explicitly declared off-the-record.
The address was delivered by Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS).
The Guild confirmed that all attendees were informed that the presentation was not for public dissemination.
Despite this, Mr Osuji, a senior member of the Guild, proceeded to publish an article based on the confidential remarks on his personal social media platforms.
Describing the act as a serious breach of journalistic ethics, the Guild announced that Mr Osuji’s suspension is effective immediately and will remain in force for one year.
The professional body stated that the action underscores its commitment to upholding ethical standards and safeguarding the integrity of journalism in Nigeria.
In response to the breach, the Guild issued a formal apology to the SSS Director-General and the institution, expressing regret for the embarrassment the publication may have caused.
It reaffirmed its resolve to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct among its members and to protect public trust in the profession.
Mr Osuji has been granted the right to appeal the disciplinary action. The Guild concluded its statement by reiterating its mission to enforce ethical compliance and ensure responsible journalism across all platforms.
FULL TEXT OF STATEMENT
June 4, 2025
NGE’s Official Press Statement
At the 25th Biennial National Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) held in Enugu, a keynote address was delivered by the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, under the explicit agreement that his presentation was off-record and not for publication.
Despite this agreement, a senior journalist and member of the Guild, Mr. Steve Osuji, published an article based on the presentation on his social media platforms, breaching our Code of Ethics on confidentiality.
The NGE takes this professional misconduct seriously, and has announced the suspension of Mr. Osuji from our professional body, effective immediately.
Mr Osuji’s action doesn’t represent who we are – as members of a respected professional body in the media landscape.
Indeed, our investigation confirmed that Mr. Osuji’s actions compromised the integrity of our profession.
“Off record” conversations are a crucial aspect of journalistic practice, allowing sources to share sensitive information while maintaining confidentiality. A breach of such agreement undermines trust and can have serious consequences.
We apologize to the Director-General of the SSS and the institution he represents for the embarrassment caused by Mr. Osuji’s actions.
We reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest standards of journalism and ensuring that our members adhere to our code of ethics. Mr. Osuji will have the opportunity to appeal this decision.
The NGE remains dedicated to promoting professional conduct and maintaining public trust in the media.
Signed
Eze Anaba
(President)
Onuoha Ukeh
(General Secretary)
