says over 250 journalists benefit from capacity-building programmes
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Akeem Abas, has called on governments, media proprietors, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to prioritise the welfare, improved remuneration and professional development of journalists.
The NUJ head, who made the appeal at the grand finale of the council’s 60th Anniversary Celebration and 2026 Press Week held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan, said journalists deserved decent salaries, adequate working tools, health insurance, pension security and a conducive working environment to discharge their professional responsibilities effectively.
Speaking on the theme, “Oyo NUJ @ 60: Celebrating the Past, Defending the Present and Shaping the Future,” the NUJ chairman lamented that journalists, despite their indispensable contributions to democracy, public accountability and societal development, remained among the poorly remunerated professionals in the country.
He described the situation as unacceptable, warning that economic hardship among media practitioners could expose them to professional compromise.
According to him, “We cannot continue to preach professionalism to journalists while ignoring the economic conditions under which they operate. We cannot demand accuracy, independence and ethical journalism while expecting media practitioners to survive on goodwill, unpaid assignments and occasional handouts.
“A hungry journalist is more vulnerable to compromise, while an economically empowered journalist is better positioned to defend professional independence.”
He consequently urged media owners and other stakeholders to move beyond occasional gestures of assistance and establish sustainable welfare structures capable of guaranteeing the dignity and financial security of journalists.
The Chairman, who described the anniversary as a moment of reflection, institutional pride and renewed commitment, said the 60-year journey of the union represented generations of journalists who had demonstrated courage, resilience and sacrifice in defending the truth despite intimidation, political persecution and economic uncertainties.
He maintained that celebrating the achievements of the union’s founding fathers and past leaders should go beyond ceremonial activities, stressing the need to preserve their legacies and bequeath a stronger institution to succeeding generations.
On the changing media landscape, the NUJ chairman identified artificial intelligence, digital journalism, social media, misinformation and disinformation as emerging challenges requiring journalists to continually improve their professional competencies.
He cautioned practitioners against surrendering the gatekeeping responsibility of journalism to sensationalism, propaganda and unverified information in the quest for online traffic.
“Journalism is more than posting information on social media. It is a profession built on verification, accuracy, fairness, accountability, public interest and ethical responsibility,” he said.
Abas further urged journalists to embrace technological innovations without compromising the ethical principles of the profession, adding that the credibility of the media remained its greatest asset.
Addressing the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections, he charged journalists to remain impartial, professionally responsible and committed to providing citizens with credible information necessary to make informed electoral choices.
He said the media must scrutinise political promises, interrogate manifestoes, investigate public policies and hold political actors accountable irrespective of their political affiliations.
“Our responsibility is not to determine who wins an election but to ensure that the electoral process is transparent, credible, peaceful and accountable,” he declared.
He also warned political parties and their candidates against intimidating, manipulating or financially compromising journalists, insisting that the media would not mortgage its independence for political patronage.
The NUJ chairman, however, disclosed that his administration, which assumed office in December 2025 under the banner of the Great Minds Team with the slogan, *”Raising the Bar, Preserving the Legacies,”* had recorded significant achievements in capacity development, institutional advancement, welfare advocacy and professional engagement.
He revealed that more than 250 journalists had benefited from capacity-building programmes facilitated through strategic partnerships with American Open University, Ibadan, and Google Africa.
He added that the council was exploring further opportunities for specialised training in artificial intelligence, digital journalism, multimedia reporting and data journalism, while a TikTok and digital content creation training programme had been scheduled for November 20.
On infrastructural development, Abas said the council was working towards transforming the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, into a modern media village, alongside efforts to develop the Aderemi Oseni Multimedia Centre and podcast studio.
He acknowledged the contributions of Chief Akeem Agbaje and other well-meaning individuals towards the council’s developmental initiatives.
The chairman also disclosed that the council was advancing the establishment of an Elders Advisory Council to harness the wealth of experience of veteran journalists and strengthen intergenerational relationships within the union.
He identified the proposed *Voice of Media* as another strategic initiative designed to serve as the council’s official news and information platform, strengthen institutional communication and provide opportunities for constructive engagement on professional and societal issues.
While acknowledging the progress recorded by his administration, Abas admitted that considerable challenges remained, assuring members that the leadership would sustain its commitment to inclusiveness, transparency, professional development and improved welfare.
He also appealed to government and private-sector organisations to support journalism through transparent sponsorships, training grants, media development initiatives and welfare programmes without demanding editorial favours.
“Supporting journalism is not an act of charity. It is an investment in democracy, accountability, peace and development,” he said.
The NUJ chairman further called for stronger institutional support for retired journalists and veterans, stressing that a union that celebrates its past must also provide sustainable structures for the welfare of those who contributed to building it.
He commended the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, the committee’s secretary, Ojo Aboyede Phebean, members of the planning committee, the State Executive Council and chapel leaders for their contributions to the successful organisation of the anniversary activities.
Abas also congratulated the award recipients, describing their recognition as an acknowledgement of their professional excellence, public service, philanthropy and contributions to societal development.
He urged journalists to rise above personal differences, political affiliations and sectional interests, insisting that the collective interest of the profession must remain paramount.
The chairman concluded by reaffirming his administration’s determination to defend press freedom, strengthen professional institutions, improve members’ welfare and ensure that journalists could work with pride, live with dignity and retire with honour.