PRIVATE PRINTERS CRITICIZE FG ORDER ON EXCLUSIVE USE OF GOVERNMENT PRESS
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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
Private printing companies operating under the auspices of the Gutenberg Print Professionals Association of Nigeria have expressed their opposition to a recent Federal Government mandate prohibiting Ministries, Departments, and Agencies from subcontracting printing assignments to private entities.
The association, in a communiqué issued on Thursday, criticized the mandate, asserting that the overarching restriction on private printers is unjust, economically detrimental, and counterproductive to Nigeria’s developmental objectives.
It is important to note that The media reported exclusively on the prohibition against all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies from engaging private printing companies.
A confidential memorandum, obtained exclusively by our correspondent and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, indicated that the decision was prompted by instances of sensitive government documents being compromised.
The instruction mandates all MDAs to utilize the Federal Government printing facility, located within the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, for their printing requirements.
In response to the circular, the association recognized the Federal Government’s apprehension regarding the protection of sensitive documents but asserted that the overarching limitation was “inequitable, economically detrimental, and counterintuitive to Nigeria’s developmental objectives. ”
The announcement was co-signed by GUPPAN President, Adekunle Adebambo, and the National Secretary, Raymond Nwagwu.
It warned that the policy would cripple the multi-trillion-naira printing industry, throw thousands of workers into the labour market, and render years of private sector investments redundant.
The statement read, “The attention of the Gutenberg Print Professionals Association of Nigeria (GUPPAN) has been drawn to a leaked Federal Government circular, dated 20th August 2025 as published in Punch Newspapers and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
“The circular directs all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to cease patronage of private printing firms and to rely exclusively on the Federal Government printing press.
“While we acknowledge and appreciate the Federal Government’s genuine concern over safeguarding the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive documents, we must emphasise that this blanket restriction on private printers is unfair, economically harmful, and counterproductive to Nigeria’s development goals.
“For decades, members of GUPPAN and other players in the organised printing sector have invested trillions of naira in modern printing infrastructure, cutting-edge equipment, staff training, and capacity building in alignment with the government’s policies on public-private partnerships, industrial growth, and job creation. These investments were made in good faith.”
“The private printing industry has consistently served as a vital link by providing effectiveness, punctuality, discretion, and professional excellence in the creation of government documents,” GUPPAN emphasized.
Rather than excluding private entities, the association urged the Federal Government to pursue a balanced approach that, “permits non-classified tasks to be contracted to vetted and accredited private printers; establish a licensing and security clearance framework for companies executing government contracts; involve stakeholders in discussions to formulate inclusive policies; and implement a transparent procurement process where assignments are funneled through the government printer but allocated equitably among registered companies. ”
GUPPAN contended that such a structure would safeguard national security without hindering private ventures.
“This framework will protect confidentiality while ensuring equitable allocation of contracts, fostering healthy competition, and promoting industry-wide advancement.
“Smaller enterprises will be empowered to expand, larger companies will be pressured to uphold international standards, and the overall professionalism of the industry will be reinforced,” the statement continued.
The organization also reminded the government of the crucial role of the printing sector in the economy.
“The printing industry facilitates education, information dissemination, cultural preservation, and job creation. ”
“Excluding private enterprises from governmental support would devastate this essential sector and compromise the Federal Government’s objective of economic diversification and job creation,” GUPPAN cautioned.
Consequently, it requested President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reevaluate the directive and adopt a cooperative strategy.
“We implore the administration to collaborate closely with printing professionals and business proprietors to ensure that national security is preserved without jeopardizing economic viability and inclusive development,” the association concluded.
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