The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for better salaries, stronger safety protections, and a complete digital transformation for journalists across the country.
The call was made at the NUJ’s two-day national media summit, which ended in Jalingo, Taraba State.
The event, themed “Building Trust and Integrity in the Age of Misinformation,” drew participants from all 36 states and the FCT the first time Taraba is hosting the summit.
NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahaya, said the resolutions made at the summit will guide the Union’s next steps for reform.
He stressed that issues like fair pay, health insurance, life insurance, and long-term welfare systems must now be treated as urgent priorities.
Yahaya revealed that the Union is completing a Media Enhancement Bill that will be presented to the National Assembly.
The bill aims to provide legal protection and improved working conditions for journalists. He also noted that the NUJ is waiting for the federal government to finalize new allowances for media agencies before state councils begin coordinated negotiations for nationwide implementation.
He highlighted the difficult travel conditions faced by delegates and appealed to the federal government to support improvements in Taraba’s road infrastructure.
Yahaya added that the summit was not only meant to address challenges but also to improve newsroom standards, strengthen editorial decision-making, and raise the overall quality of journalism in Nigeria.
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, said hosting the summit was an honor and a contribution to national growth.
He described journalists as key partners in development and encouraged the NUJ to continue promoting truth and unity. He pledged the state government’s continued support to the media sector.
In his keynote address, Professor Umar Pate, Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Kashere, said journalists must never be harassed while doing their work.
He presented a safety framework based on UNESCO standards, stressing the need for psychological, physical, gender-based, digital, media, and economic safety for journalists.
He also urged journalists to adopt digital tools to remain relevant and called on the Taraba State Government to provide laptops and smartphones to local reporters to boost their digital skills.
