The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has issued an official clarification regarding the proper appellation of Bola Ahmed Tinubu following what it described as recurring errors by some media organisations and institutions in addressing the President.
The clarification was contained in a statement released by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, who said the directive was personally issued and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
According to the statement, the Federal Government considered it necessary to officially restate the correct title and appellation of the President after noticing repeated inaccuracies in public communications, newspaper publications, official programmes, and media reports.
Odunuga explained that the clarification became imperative after an error was observed in the naming and official designation of President Tinubu in a publication by a national daily newspaper on Wednesday, May 7, 2026.
The OSGF noted that although the mistake may have appeared minor, the repeated misuse of official titles attached to the office of the President required urgent correction to ensure consistency and respect for constitutional protocol.
“For the record, the correct and official appellation is: ‘His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria’,” the statement read.
The SGF stressed that all government institutions, public agencies, private organisations, media houses, and members of the public should ensure that the President’s title is correctly stated in all official communications and public references.
According to Akume, official titles attached to high public offices carry constitutional, ceremonial, and diplomatic significance and should therefore not be treated casually or inaccurately.
He warned that avoidable errors in official appellations could create embarrassment and diminish the standard expected in formal communication.
The statement further urged journalists, editors, protocol officers, public affairs personnel, and communication teams across the country to always verify official titles before publication or public circulation.
According to the SGF, many of the recurring errors could easily be avoided through proper fact-checking and direct verification from authorised government communication channels.
Odunuga said Akume specifically advised media organisations to adopt stricter editorial verification processes when handling government-related publications and official state matters.
He added that proper verification would help prevent unnecessary misinformation and maintain professionalism within the media industry.
The statement also listed several official communication platforms through which individuals and organisations can verify government information and official designations.
According to the OSGF, enquiries and verification requests can be directed through its official social media and communication channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and official email correspondence.
The listed channels include:
Facebook – @OfficeoftheSGF
Instagram – OfficialOSGFNG
X (formerly Twitter) – OfficialOSGF
Email – info@osgf.gov.ng
The Federal Government reiterated that adherence to proper official nomenclature remains an important aspect of governance, protocol management, and public communication.
Observers note that official titles in Nigeria often reflect constitutional responsibilities, national honours, and command authority, particularly in relation to the office of the President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The title “GCFR” attached to the President’s name refers to the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, which is traditionally conferred on serving Presidents of Nigeria.
Government officials familiar with protocol matters explained that inaccurate references to the President’s title in official publications can sometimes trigger diplomatic concerns, especially in international communications and state documentation.
The latest clarification by the OSGF is therefore seen as an effort to standardise references to the President across official and media platforms.
The statement has already generated reactions within media and political circles, with some communication experts supporting the move as necessary for institutional accuracy and administrative order.
Others noted that while typographical and editorial errors may occasionally occur in media practice, official corrections help reinforce the importance of precision in reporting matters relating to state institutions and public office holders.
Analysts also pointed out that beyond the presidency, government agencies and institutions often maintain strict protocols regarding the official designations of top office holders, including governors, ministers, judges, military officers, and diplomats.
For the Tinubu administration, the correction appears aimed at ensuring that all references to the President align with constitutional standards and established federal protocol guidelines.
The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation further emphasized that cooperation between government institutions and media organisations remains essential in promoting accurate public information and preserving institutional integrity.
The SGF concluded by encouraging journalists and organisations to make use of official government channels whenever clarification is required regarding titles, designations, or official state communication.
The development comes amid increasing attention on official government communication standards and the role of accurate media reporting in public administration.
