*tackles insecurity, suspends 7 Ogun members
The National Executive Council (NEC), of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has expressed concern over the poor state of government-owned media outfits nationwide.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the NEC meeting held in Abuja, on April 29, 2026, and signed by the National Secretary, Achike Chude.
The council appealed to the Federal Government to make adequate budgetary provisions for infrastructure upgrade and improved working conditions for journalists.
NEC, also passed a vote of confidence in its National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, while approving a health insurance scheme for journalists and suspending seven members of the Ogun State Council for breach of union constitution.
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The suspended members, Wole Shokunbi, Folake Ade-Adeniji, Razak Ayinla, Modupe Salabiu, Joke Adeleye, Kunle Ibukunle, and Seun Odunlami, were suspended for instituting legal action against the union without exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanisms, in breach of Article 7(5d) of the NUJ Constitution. It also approved the reinstatement of Delta State Council Secretary, Mr. Victor Soroku, following the adoption of a zonal fact-finding report.
On welfare, the NEC approved plans to launch a Health Insurance Premium for Nigerian journalists and their families, and commended state councils that have already introduced similar schemes. It also directed all state councils and zones to conduct financial audits covering 2022 to 2026 and submit reports with accompanying fees to the Registrar of Trade Unions.
On security, NEC urged the federal government to take decisive steps to tackle rising insecurity, noting that the spate of attacks and killings requires a review of security strategies. It cautioned against politicising security issues.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NEC called on politicians to play by the rules and avoid actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy. It also charged journalists to maintain professionalism in election coverage, reminding members that some journalists were incarcerated and others died while defending democratic values.
The council passed a vote of confidence in the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), for improved relations with the media, noting a decline in intimidation and arbitrary arrest of journalists. It urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to emulate the DSS.
In Kano State, NEC approved a bye-election for the office of council secretary to resolve a lingering leadership crisis.
The council further reaffirmed that no state council or chapel has the power to suspend any member without recourse to NEC, and declared that membership revalidation exercises conducted by state councils during an election year contravene NUJ resolutions. It directed the Delta State Council to reverse its ongoing validation exercise.
Other highlights included commendations to the Governors of Bauchi, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, and Yobe for supporting NUJ members and families of deceased colleagues. NEC also lauded TANTITA security limited, for rewarding over 100 retired journalists in Bayelsa with cash gifts.
The council however, decried the epileptic power supply nationwide and called on the federal government to urgently address the situation. It advised state councils to engage professional drivers for union vehicles to reduce road accidents.
NEC also approved the constitution of three committees: Media Icon Committee chaired by Gbenga Onayega; Welfare Committee chaired by the NUJ President; and Annual Strategic Planning Committee chaired by Zare Baba.
The communiqué was drafted by Dr. Abu Nmodu, Chairman; Ngozi Mbah, Secretary; and Dr. John Angese, Member.
