NUJ Lagos Election: Stakeholders urge incoming executive to prioritise welfare, unity
Lagos, Nov. 2026 (TBL Africa) Stakeholders at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council election have commended its peaceful conduct, urging the incoming executive to prioritise members’ welfare, unity and professional development.
They made the call in separate interviews during the election at Ladi Lawal Press Centre, Lagos.
The stakeholders also praised the transparent electoral process, security arrangements and level playing field provided for contestants.
Dr Abimbola Oyetunde, Deputy National President of NUJ, described the election as transparent and peaceful, commending members for their conduct.
Oyetunde, Bureau Chief of FRCN Network News and Deputy Director of News at its Ikoyi Directorate Headquarters Annex, said security operatives had little reason to intervene.
“The conduct of the election has been very transparent and peaceful. There has been no problem so far.
“Although security operatives are around, they have hardly had any reason to intervene because members have conducted themselves peacefully.
“Members come in, cast their votes and leave. Most people are simply enjoying the atmosphere, having fun and catching up with one another.
“It is one of the best elections Lagos has witnessed in recent times,” she said.
Oyetunde urged the incoming chairman and executive members to consolidate the previous administration’s achievements while introducing initiatives to improve members’ welfare.
She described journalists as an endangered professional group, stressing the need to address poor remuneration and health-related challenges.
“Whoever emerges should build on the legacies of the past administration, introduce new projects and improve members’ welfare. Welfare is very important.
“As journalists, we are an endangered species. Therefore, everything relating to the welfare of our members deserves serious attention.
“The new leadership should devise ways of improving members’ welfare to reduce health-related challenges.
“Journalists’ remuneration is very poor. The leadership should also develop strategies to support members who are in need,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, former two-term National President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), urged members to unite after the election.
Omowole, Head of NAN Lagos Operations, said unity was essential to addressing the numerous challenges confronting journalists.
She commended the peaceful conduct of the election and the security arrangements, urging other state councils to emulate Lagos.
“My advice to the incoming NUJ leadership is that, after the election, we should come together and become one. There should be no more divisions arising from the election.
“After the election, victory should belong to everyone. There should be no losers because we are all victorious. There will always be another opportunity.
“My advice is that everybody should come together and work for the progress of the union. There are many challenges bedevilling journalists that we need to address.
“We can only tackle them effectively when we are united,” she said.
Omowole identified members’ welfare as the incoming executive’s foremost responsibility, citing rising transportation costs and fuel prices.
She said journalists were particularly affected by the economic situation because their professional responsibilities required frequent movement.
“Welfare, welfare and welfare. As the economy continues to decline, journalists are more affected.
“Journalists have to move around to perform their duties, so transportation costs and rising fuel prices are major concerns.
“Therefore, welfare should be the priority concern of every journalist and the incoming leadership,” she said.
On a candidate’s withdrawal from the contest, Omowole described it as an individual decision, urging withdrawing contestants to demonstrate sportsmanship by supporting remaining candidates.
She said accepting another candidate’s advantage and offering support would promote unity within the union.
Also speaking, Mrs Omobola Akingbehin, former Vice-President of NAWOJ, South-West Zone, urged members to remain united after the election.
Akingbehin, a former NAN Deputy Editor-In-Chief, said the incoming executive should involve all members in running the council.
“After the election, we must fall back to the same council as one indivisible union. The incoming executive must involve everybody. In unity we can make progress. Let unity be our watchword.
“We must be professional and set standards for politicians. We should be magnanimous in victory as winners and remain sportsmen as losers.
“It is the same council. The welfare of our people should be the priority,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mr Wahab Akinlade, Chairman of the NUJ Lagos State Council Electoral Committee, described the election as free and fair.
Akinlade said the committee had provided a level playing field for contestants, adding that the process was devoid of crisis and undue interference.
“The election has been free and fair. We have provided a level playing field for all contestants to participate in the process,” he said.
He urged members to close ranks after the exercise, stressing that the election should not create divisions within the union.
“There should be no winner or loser after the election. The NUJ remains a formidable body, and members should continue to work together for the progress of the union,” he said.
Akinlade also urged the incoming executive to prioritise professional training, particularly in emerging technologies and modern journalism practices.
He identified Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced information-search techniques, information verification and editorial processes as critical areas requiring attention.
“The priority should be training journalists to enable them to compete effectively with their counterparts across the world.
“Journalists should receive training on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and advanced search techniques to enable them to verify information before disseminating it.
“There should also be training in editorial processes, including how to edit and publish news materials.
“Beyond our official duties, such training will empower journalists to establish and operate their individual platforms and websites, thereby creating additional opportunities to thrive professionally.
“I expect the incoming executive to provide adequate training that will equip members with the skills and knowledge to compete with journalists globally,” he said.
Assessing the electoral process on a scale of 100, Akinlade awarded it 101 per cent, citing the absence of crisis, violence and chaos.
The stakeholders urged the incoming leadership and members to sustain the peaceful atmosphere and work collectively to strengthen the union, improve professional standards and enhance journalists’ welfare.
