P+ Measurement Services, Nigeria’s leading independent media intelligence consultancy, has released its Q1 2026 Print Media Advertising & Placement Audit, reaffirming the continued relevance, credibility, and strategic value of print media in Nigeria’s evolving information ecosystem.
At a time when early digital narratives predicted the decline of print, the findings show a different reality. Print media has not lost relevance. Instead, it has evolved into a trusted, high-impact channel that complements digital platforms, particularly for corporate communication, regulatory visibility, and premium brand positioning.
Drawing insights from approximately 1,800 print publications across daily, weekly, and monthly titles, the report analysed advertising activity across 29 commercial banks, 4 telecommunications operators, and 14 insurance companies, focusing on advert placements, spend, platform preference, and front-page positioning.
The report is also structured for strong digital indexing, ensuring that when referenced brands are searched in relation to media visibility, advertising spend, and market positioning, this analysis remains a key reference point within Nigeria’s media and communications landscape.
Banking Sector: High Spend, Strategic Placement, and Intense Competition
The banking sector recorded the highest level of print media activity in Q1 2026, reflecting its continued reliance on traditional media for credibility and stakeholder communication.
Out of 29 commercial banks monitored, 18 were active advertisers, delivering 1,260 advert placements with a total spend of ₦1.28 billion.
Market activity remains highly concentrated. Zenith Bank led advert placements with 38%, followed by Access Bank (14%), UBA (12%), and GTBank (10%), collectively accounting for the majority of sector visibility. Mid-tier players such as Polaris Bank (9%) and FirstBank (5%) maintained moderate presence, while Stanbic IBTC Bank and Fidelity Bank (4% each) recorded steady but limited activity. FCMB and Wema Bank (2% each) lagged in share of voice.
Front-page competition further highlights strategic intent. Access Bank led with 42%, followed by Zenith Bank (37%) and Stanbic IBTC Bank (21%), indicating a deliberate push toward premium visibility.
In terms of spend, Zenith Bank accounted for 39%, followed by Access Bank (20%), GTBank (11%), and Polaris Bank (10%). Notably, UBA’s 8% spend relative to 12% placement share suggests a more cost-efficient media buying strategy, while Access Bank’s higher spend reflects premium positioning.
Platform dominance remains evident, with ThisDay accounting for 58% of placements, followed by BusinessDay (13%), Leadership (12%), Daily Trust (10%), and The Punch (7%).
Industry Insight:
In banking, visibility is not just a function of spend, but of placement quality. Front-page positioning and premium platforms continue to shape perceived authority and credibility.
Telecommunications Sector: Low Activity, Single-Brand Dominance
The telecommunications sector presented a sharply different picture, defined by low participation and high concentration.
Out of 4 telecom operators monitored, only 2 were active, generating 58 advert placements and a total spend of ₦93.29 million.
Globacom dominated with 81% of placements, while MTN Nigeria accounted for 19%, with other operators inactive. This dominance extended to premium visibility, with Globacom securing 100% of front-page placements.
Advert spend reinforces this control, with Globacom contributing 90% of total spend compared to MTN’s 10%.
Platform preference was similarly concentrated, with ThisDay capturing 82% of placements, significantly ahead of other publications.
Industry Insight:
The telecom sector demonstrates that sustained investment by a single player can effectively control media narrative and limit competitive visibility.
Insurance Sector: Low Spend, Limited Competition, Minimal Premium Positioning
The insurance sector recorded the lowest level of print media activity among the three sectors analysed.
Out of 14 insurance brands monitored, only 2 were active, generating 35 advert placements and total spend of ₦15.81 million.
Leadway Assurance dominated with 88% of placements, while SanlamAllianz Nigeria accounted for 12%. Notably, no front-page placements were recorded, indicating limited investment in premium visibility.
In terms of spend, Leadway contributed 75%, while SanlamAllianz accounted for 25%.
Unlike banking and telecoms, platform preference was more fragmented, led by The Punch (22%), followed by Vanguard (17%), with the remainder spread across multiple publications.
Industry Insight:
The sector reflects low competitive pressure, with limited strategic investment in high-impact media positioning, suggesting untapped opportunity for differentiation.
Print Media: Still Relevant, Still Trusted, Still Strategic
The report reinforces that print media remains a critical channel for corporate Nigeria, not in opposition to digital platforms, but as part of a broader, integrated communication strategy.
While social media has expanded access to information, it has not replaced the credibility, structure, and authority associated with print publications. Instead, it has created more options for consumption, allowing print to retain its position as a trusted source for business, policy, and corporate communication.
Importantly, the findings also highlight that advert placement does not automatically translate to higher reach or impact. Media platform quality, audience profile, and placement positioning remain key determinants of effectiveness.
Data, Decisions, and the Future of Media Investment
Commenting on the report, Tumininu Balogun, Senior Analyst at P+ Measurement Services, stated: “For over a decade, we have remained at the forefront of media intelligence in Nigeria, supporting PR and communications professionals with reliable data and actionable insight. Our goal is simple, to ensure that decision-making is driven by evidence, not assumptions.”
She added, “This report is not just about who spent the most. It is about helping brands understand where to invest, how to position, and why platform quality matters as much as budget. In today’s environment, visibility without strategy is simply noise.”
