By Yemi Akinsuyi
A delegation from Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), a Canada-based International Media Development Organization, on Thursday met with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, to explore areas of collaboration and better understand Nigeria’s media environment.
The meeting was attended by JHR’s Executive Director, Mr. Bill Killorn, Director, Operations, Amara Bangura and Director of Africa Program, Mustapha Dumbuya
Killorn, who led the delegation, explained that JHR operates across Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia, with a mission to support journalists in telling human rights and community-focused stories.
He emphasized that the team was in Nigeria strictly on a learning mission.
“We don’t design projects in Canada and impose them elsewhere. We come to countries, speak to journalists, learn the realities on the ground, and co-create solutions,” he said.
He noted that JHR, largely funded by the Canadian government, is currently expanding its operations globally and has identified Nigeria as a priority country for engagement.
Kilorn further explained that nearly half of JHR’s global programming focuses on gender equality, reflecting the priorities of its major funder. He also disclosed that JHR runs a story bursary scheme to enable journalists and editors to pursue in-depth human rights and gender stories that may not be financially feasible for newsrooms.
On policy impact, he cited the DRC, where JHR-supported advocacy led to the removal of fees that previously hindered survivors of gender-based violence from accessing police and medical services.
Speaking on JHR’s work across the continent, Dibuya highlighted the organization’s programs in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He said a major focus of the group’s African programming is media inclusiveness and women’s rights, particularly addressing sexual harassment and gender-based barriers in newsrooms.
According to him, research conducted in Kenya revealed that gender-based violence and harassment force many young female journalists out of the profession. To address this, JHR partnered with the Kenya Editors’ Guild, Kenya Women in Media, and the journalists’ union to introduce an anti-sexual harassment policy now being adopted by major newsrooms in the country.
He added that JHR also trains journalists on gender-sensitive reporting and works with media houses to promote accurate, stereotype-free representation of women, especially during elections.
Also speaking, Ms. Bambura noted that the organization is expanding into new regions, including North Africa and Asia, and is currently establishing an office in the Philippines.
In her remarks, the NUJ FCT Council Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike commended JHR for its interventions, stressing that Nigeria remains far behind in promoting women in leadership and ensuring safe working conditions for female journalists.
She described her own election as Council Chairperson as a turning point, noting that women rallied behind her candidacy despite attempts by some interest groups to discourage her based on marital or cultural considerations.
She highlighted the challenges faced by journalists, especially women, including poor remuneration, sexual harassment, lack of operational resources, and exposure to attacks both online and offline. According to her, insufficient funding for investigative journalism and training remains a major setback to quality reporting in Nigeria.
“Welfare is critical. You cannot talk about ethics to a journalist who cannot afford transportation or basic needs,” she said, adding that her administration prioritizes members’ welfare and remains committed to transparency and accountability.
The Council Chairperson also raised concerns about restrictive laws such as the Cybercrime Act and other anti-media regulations, noting that journalists’ safety and press freedom continue to be undermined by arrests, threats and arbitrary detentions. She cited the case of a female journalist who resigned after receiving threats over an investigative report involving a public official.
Also speaking the Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists ( NAWOJ), Comrade Bassey Ita-Ikpang
emphasized the urgent need for media professionals to consciously spotlight women leaders and experts in their reportage.
According to her, the pattern in which reporters often identify women only by their vulnerabilities rather than their professional achievements reinforces negative stereotypes and undermines gender equality.
Other participants at the meeting proposed the establishment of a Women Journalists’ Situation Room, in collaboration with JHR, to provide a safe channel for female media professionals to report harassment, threats and workplace discrimination. They also called for stronger policies within media houses to support women’s career growth and to ensure balanced, ethical and gender-sensitive reporting.
Responding, officials of JHR emphasized their readiness to partner with the NUJ FCT Council on capacity building, policy development, media safety initiatives and support for investigative reporting. They noted that their intervention models in other African countries could be adapted to the Nigerian context to strengthen press freedom and promote women’s representation.
Both parties agreed to sustain collaboration aimed at advancing human rights reporting, improving journalists’ welfare and amplifying the voices of women in Nigeria’s media landscape.
The meeting was attended by both NUJ FCT Council and NAWOJ FCT Chapter executive members which includes ; Vice Chairman, Yahaya Ndambabo , Secretary NUJ FCT, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, Treasurer, Sandra Udeike, Auditor, Rose Ikoko-Tega, Financial Secretary, Henry Daniel.
Others are ; NAWOJ Vice Chairperson, Bolanle Ukpevo, Secretary, Nkiruka Okeke, Ex Officio, Princess Ekwi Ajide and Treasurer, Chinasa Udeze
