PRESS RELEASE
Lagos, Thursday, 30/07/2026
The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) welcomes the public apology issued by Vanguard Media Limited following the publication of a digitally altered photograph of Miss Maryam Yusuf, one of Nigeria’s representatives at the 2026 World Spelling Bee Competition in Shanghai, China.
The apology marks an important development in a matter that raised serious concerns regarding ethical journalism, respect for religious identity, and the integrity of visual reporting, and which remains, as explained below, still pending before the Nigerian Press Council.
Upon becoming aware of the publication, MPAC promptly engaged Vanguard Media Limited through a formal letter demanding the immediate removal of the altered photograph, its replacement with the authentic image of Miss Maryam Yusuf, and the publication of an unequivocal public apology to Miss Yusuf, her family, the Muslim community, and the Nigerian public. MPAC gave Vanguard forty-eight (48) hours within which to take the necessary corrective action, failing which the organisation would petition the Nigerian Press Council over what it considered a breach of the Nigerian Code of Ethics for Journalists. A similar action was taken by the family of Miss Maryam Yusuf through its legal counsels.
Following receipt of MPAC’s letter, Vanguard replaced the altered photograph with the authentic image. However, no public apology or correction accompanied the replacement. In keeping with its commitment to ensuring accountability and upholding ethical standards in journalism, MPAC proceeded to prepare and submit a formal petition to the Nigerian Press Council on 23rd July 2026, pursuant to the Nigerian Press Council Act and the Nigerian Code of Ethics for Journalists, requesting the Council’s intervention in the matter.
Subsequently, and while the petition remained pending before the Council, Vanguard Media Limited published a public apology acknowledging the error and expressing regret over the publication of the altered image. MPAC welcomes this apology as an important demonstration of editorial responsibility and accountability. The organisation considers the apology, together with the earlier restoration of the authentic photograph, to be significant steps towards addressing the concerns that gave rise to this matter.
MPAC wishes to emphasise that its intervention was never intended to undermine or disparage Vanguard Media Limited. Rather, our objective was to protect the dignity and religious identity of Miss Maryam Yusuf, preserve the integrity of factual reporting, and encourage adherence to the highest standards of ethical journalism. We firmly believe that responsible media organisations strengthen public confidence not by claiming infallibility, but by acknowledging mistakes, correcting them transparently, and taking responsibility for their actions.
We also commend the Nigerian Press Council for admitting the petition for consideration and for its readiness to discharge its statutory responsibility in safeguarding ethical journalism and maintaining public confidence in the Nigerian media. Strong regulatory institutions remain indispensable to promoting professionalism, accountability, and responsible journalism in a democratic society.
MPAC notes that its petition to the Nigerian Press Council remains pending, as the Council is yet to deliberate on and issue its decision on the matter. MPAC will await the Council’s formal determination on the issues raised- including whether Vanguard’s conduct breached the Code of Ethics, and whether the corrective steps so far taken constitute an adequate ethical remedy- and will continue to engage with the Council through the appropriate channels until the matter is fully resolved.
MPAC expresses its appreciation to members of the public, media practitioners, civil society organisations, and all those who lent their voices in a respectful and constructive manner throughout this process. Their support reaffirmed the importance of peaceful civic engagement and principled advocacy in defending justice and protecting the rights and dignity of every Nigerian.
Above all, we once again congratulate Miss Maryam Yusuf and Team Nigeria for their remarkable performance at the World Spelling Bee Competition. Their outstanding achievement should remain the enduring story- one of excellence, resilience, discipline, and national pride. We hope that this episode serves as a reminder to all media organisations that every Nigerian deserves to be represented accurately, fairly, and with respect, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or appearance.
MPAC remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting justice, defending the rights and dignity of Muslim citizens, and working collaboratively with the media, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to foster ethical journalism, religious inclusion, and peaceful civic engagement in Nigeria.
Disu Kamor
Executive Chairman,
Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria
Kamor.disu@mpac-ng.org
www.mpac-ng.org