NUJ and Women's Centre Push for Better Coverage of Women's Issues in Media

The Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development wants to team up with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council. Their goal is to help journalists report on women's issues more accurately and with more sensitivity.

The Centre’s Director-General, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, made this request during a visit from the NUJ FCT Council. The council was led by its chairperson, Grace Ike, to the Centre in Abuja.

Mrs Benjamins-Laniyi said journalists are key in shaping how the public understands women’s development, pushing for policies, and sharing the stories of women and girls.

She suggested regular training sessions, media roundtables, and knowledge-sharing events to help journalists gain the skills and information needed. They should cover issues like women’s economic empowerment, leadership, gender-based violence, education, and social inclusion.

“Let us invest in the capacity of journalists to report gender issues responsibly and effectively,” she said.

She mentioned that this partnership should go beyond just good intentions. It should lead to real commitments and measurable results.

“As the 16th Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, I extend a formal invitation to the NUJ FCT Council to become a strategic media partner in advancing the Centre’s mandate and strengthening the national movement for women’s empowerment,” she said.

She called for a formal media partnership framework to guide joint advocacy, public awareness, media involvement, and support for women-focused initiatives.

Mrs Benjamins-Laniyi also encouraged journalists to make women’s development a regular topic in national discussions. They should not only cover it during special events like International Women’s Day.

She stressed that women’s issues should be consistently highlighted across print, broadcast, and online platforms all year long.

The director-general urged for platforms that will spotlight women entrepreneurs, rural women, young innovators, women with disabilities, community leaders, and others whose contributions often go unnoticed.

She suggested that the Centre and the NUJ should name focal persons to coordinate their efforts, identify key activities, and check their progress regularly.

“We should be able to look back at the end of each agreed period and point to specific achievements: programmes implemented, women reached, stories published, public awareness raised and opportunities created,” she said.

Mrs Benjamins-Laniyi added that the media should help shape conversations about women’s development, rather than just covering the Centre’s activities.

“The Centre has a mandate to empower women. The media has the power to amplify that mandate. Together, we can turn that power into progress,” she said.

Earlier, Mrs Ike said the NUJ FCT Council came to the Centre to declare a “partnership of purpose.” This partnership aims to put women’s stories, voices, and contributions at the heart of national development.

Mrs Ike, the first female chairperson of the NUJ FCT Council, congratulated Mrs Benjamins-Laniyi on her new role as the Centre’s director-general. She said the council was ready to work with the Centre.

She pointed out that Nigerian women have made significant contributions to families, the economy, culture, and democracy. Sadly, many of these contributions are often poorly documented.

“Our theme is: Women in Journalism: Centring Women’s Stories, Voices and Contributions for National Development,” she said.

Mrs Ike explained that the media has a duty to make women’s voices heard, showcase their successes, highlight their challenges, and encourage discussions that promote equal opportunities in national development.

She mentioned the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame at the Centre as an important platform for preserving the contributions of women.

She added that the NUJ is eager to partner with the Centre to document and share women’s stories in ways that inspire younger generations, especially girls and young women.

Mrs Ike also called for more focus on grassroots women, women in informal jobs, women with disabilities, and young women whose contributions often go unnoticed.

She proposed regular features, interviews, and programs on women’s leadership, innovation, and community impact. There should also be discussions involving veteran women leaders, emerging professionals, and young girls.

The NUJ suggested public talks on women’s economic empowerment, digital inclusion, leadership, health, safety, and rights. They also want joint training programs for journalists on ethical and gender-sensitive reporting.

Mrs Ike said female journalists should have more chances for professional growth and leadership in the media.

She insisted that journalists should ensure women are visible in reporting on important issues like governance, the economy, technology, security, education, health, climate change, and culture.

“Women are not merely beneficiaries of policy. They are experts, employers, innovators, caregivers, peacebuilders, taxpayers, voters, traders, farmers, researchers and leaders,” she said.

“Our reporting should connect women to information, opportunities, services and decision-making spaces. It should explain policies clearly, show barriers, highlight practical solutions and follow up on whether commitments improve women’s lives.”

Mrs Ike announced that the NUJ FCT Council would appoint a liaison to work with the Centre. They would commit to regular updates on women’s contributions and development priorities.

She also suggested a follow-up meeting between both groups to create a realistic plan for joint activities.

Both institutions agreed that ongoing collaboration between the media and the Centre could help amplify women’s voices. This would improve public understanding of policies affecting women and hold programs accountable for improving the lives of women and girls.