The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has sought a strategic media partnership with the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD) to advance women’s empowerment and inclusion nationwide.
The council’s Chairperson, Ms Grace Ike, made the call on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the centre’s Director-General, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, alongside other members of the delegation.
Ike, the council’s first female chairperson, said the visit was intended not merely as a courtesy call but also to establish a purposeful partnership aimed at advancing women’s development through strategic media engagement and collaboration.
She said the engagement was themed “Women in Journalism: Centring Women’s Stories, Voices and Contributions for National Development,” highlighting the importance of documenting women’s contributions to Nigeria’s progress and development.
Ike questioned why the contributions of Nigerian women who had shaped families, the economy, culture and democracy remained inadequately documented, poorly archived and largely absent from the national narrative.
“Where are the stories of grassroots women, rural women, women in informal work, women with disabilities and young women whose contributions rarely attract public attention?” she asked.
She said the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame, located within the centre, should be viewed not merely as a recognition platform but as a living archive preserving inspiration, evidence and national memory.
“How can young girls aspire if they do not see themselves reflected in the history of their country? We are ready to work with the centre to tell these stories responsibly and consistently,” Ike said.
The NUJ chairperson described the media as a powerful instrument for shaping public opinion, influencing policy and driving social change, emphasising journalists’ responsibility to amplify women’s voices and celebrate their achievements.
She challenged the media and the centre to develop joint strategies to ensure that issues affecting women, families and vulnerable groups remained prominent in national conversations and received sustained public attention.
“We must ask: Are women consistently visible in discussions shaping Nigeria today, including governance, the economy, technology, security, education, health and climate change?
“Are we explaining policies in clear language and following up to determine whether commitments are improving women’s lives?” she asked, emphasising accountability and the need to assess policy outcomes affecting women.
She said that, despite progress, Nigerian women continued to face barriers to opportunities, leadership representation, economic empowerment and professional advancement, requiring sustained institutional commitment and collaborative action to achieve meaningful change.
Ike proposed regular features and programmes on women’s leadership, documentation of women’s histories, intergenerational dialogues and public discussions addressing empowerment, inclusion and digital participation across communities nationwide.
Other proposed initiatives included inclusive coverage of grassroots women and women with disabilities, as well as joint capacity-building programmes to equip women journalists with ethical, gender-sensitive reporting skills and enhance their professional competencies.
“Can we create more opportunities for women journalists to contribute effectively to this mission? Can we strengthen female representation in leadership positions within the media and other sectors?” she asked, pledging sustained engagement.
She added that the council would designate a liaison officer to coordinate activities, facilitate communication and ensure consistent reporting, thereby strengthening accountability and continuity in the proposed partnership between the two institutions.
Responding, Benjamins-Laniyi commended the council and accepted the proposal, saying the centre, which was marking its 34th anniversary, was ready to institutionalise collaboration around shared priorities and measurable outcomes.
She urged journalists to incorporate gender and disability perspectives into every assignment, asking: “Who is the woman journalist with a disability that you brought here to cover this event? Inclusion must be intentional, not symbolic.”
The director-general proposed five immediate areas of action, including a formal media partnership framework, bimonthly fireside chats, gender-responsive journalism training and institutionalised, data-driven accountability mechanisms to track progress and outcomes.
She also invited the council to the forthcoming Women in Media Breakfast and activities marking the centre’s 35th anniversary, including the unveiling of a ramp and disability-friendly facilities.
