Photo: Anaba and Osuji
By: Mandy Park
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has suspended member Steve Osuji over allegations of breaching confidentiality during the Guild’s 25th Biennial National Convention.
Osuji is accused of publishing content from a keynote address by the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, which was marked as off-the-record.
The NGE stated that all attendees were notified that the security chief’s remarks were not for public circulation. However, Osuji reportedly shared excerpts of the address on his social media platforms, prompting the Guild to describe the action as a serious breach of journalistic ethics and internal trust.
The NGE, in a statement signed by President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, confirmed the suspension, emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidentiality and upholding journalistic ethics.
“The Guild views this act as a gross violation of our professional code. Upholding confidentiality and trust remains central to our mission,” the statement read.
The NGE has issued a formal apology to the SSS Director-General, expressing deep regret over the publication and any embarrassment it may have caused the security agency.
Mr. Osuji’s suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place for one year, though he retains the right to appeal the decision.
However, in a swift response, Mr. Osuji criticized the Guild’s action, saying he was unaware that the editors’ convention had been turned into a security briefing allegedly “hijacked” by the Department of State Services (DSS).
“I would rather be suspended. I would even denounce my membership first instead of being a member of an Efulefu Guild,” Osuji said, using the Igbo word efulefu—meaning worthless person—to mock the Guild’s leadership.
He maintained that he stood by his decision to publish the remarks, calling into question the role of the secret police at what was supposed to be a media industry event.
The incident has triggered widespread debate within journalistic circles, with observers warning that it may signal deeper internal divisions within the NGE.
The Guild, meanwhile, reaffirmed its commitment to ethical compliance and its duty to protect public trust in the profession.
The suspension has sparked tension within the NGE, raising questions about the balance between journalistic freedom and the need for confidentiality in certain circumstances .
