By Usman Mohammed Binji I At press centers across Nigeria, a quiet hum of activity masks a harsher reality. Look beyond the chatter, and you find retired and veteran journalists—some pacing the corridors aimlessly, others sitting in silence, their weary eyes reflecting years of service and sacrifice.
These are the men and women who once chased breaking news, exposed corruption, and held leaders accountable. Today, many can barely meet their basic needs.
A retired editor wanders from office to office, phone in hand, calling former colleagues still in service, hoping for financial assistance. A former reporter sits on a worn-out bench, scrolling through his contact list, making one plea after another. Pride gives way to survival. Fame once suggested influence, but for many journalists, it now means little protection from poverty or debt.
In Sokoto State, colleagues describe the grim realities. Some veterans wait months for delayed pensions. Others drown in unpaid loans or medical bills. Many who once covered celebrated court cases and historic public events now spend their days seeking help—forgotten by the society they once informed.
Behind every headline is a story of sacrifice rarely acknowledged. Journalists endure long hours, perilous assignments, and threats most would never dare face. Yet recognition and financial security remain elusive. Public admiration does not pay hospital bills, nor does it guarantee dignity in retirement.
This neglect raises a pressing question: who looks after the storytellers when their own stories fade?
It is time to treat journalists as nation-builders. They deserve timely pensions, reliable healthcare, and welfare packages that match their contributions. These men and women are the bridge between power and the people. Yet too often, they groan in silence, abandoned by the very society they helped shape.
Journalists are guardians of truth. They deserve respect. They deserve support. They deserve the chance to thrive—not just survive. A society cannot flourish if its storytellers are left to wander in poverty and despair. For many, the weight of fame has become an unbearable burden.
Binji is the Sokoto State Council chairman of the NUJ
