South-West NUJ, NAWOJ reaffirm unity, seek minimum wage review
Leaders of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in the South-West have reaffirmed their commitment to unity within the profession, while calling for an upward review of the national minimum wage to reflect the country’s prevailing economic realities.
The position formed part of a communiqué issued at the end of the Joint South-West Leadership Retreat of the NUJ and NAWOJ, held at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan, from 16 to 18 July 2026.
The retreat, themed “Collaboration, Capacity, and Sustainability for the Future of Journalism,” brought together national officers, zonal leaders, state chairmen and chairpersons, secretaries, and members of the State Working Committees of both organisations from the six South-West states.
Hosted by the Oyo State Council of the NUJ, with support from the Ogun State Council, the three-day retreat focused on strengthening collaboration between the two organisations, improving professional capacity, addressing challenges confronting journalism, and promoting sustainable development within the profession.
In the communiqué, participants declared that unity between the NUJ and NAWOJ remained non-negotiable, urging leaders at all levels to speak with one voice in advancing the interests of the profession.
The retreat also reaffirmed the constitutional hierarchy within the union, stressing that the NUJ remains the parent body of all its affiliated associations. It noted that leadership structures should be respected and that leadership positions should be exercised with humility and mutual respect.
The South-West zone further expressed its readiness to host the forthcoming NUJ National Media Summit, describing it as an opportunity to advance professional discourse and strengthen journalism practice in the country.
Participants commended the national leadership of the NUJ, led by its President, Comrade Yahya Alhassan, for implementing initiatives and programmes aimed at enhancing professional standards and improving journalism practice nationwide.
On the economy, the retreat urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to begin negotiations for a review of the current ₦70,000 national minimum wage, arguing that rising inflation had significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power.
The communiqué also praised the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing construction of major road projects across the South-West. However, it called on contractors handling the projects to accelerate work to ensure their timely completion.
On electoral matters, the retreat applauded the peaceful conduct of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election and urged political stakeholders to replicate the same level of peaceful and credible conduct during the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
The participants equally commended the leadership of the South-West zone, particularly the NUJ Deputy National President, Dr (Mrs) Abimbola Oyetunde, and the NUJ B-Zone Vice President, Princess Aderonke Afebioye-Samo, for fostering stability, cooperation and unprecedented unity across the zone.
The retreat also expressed appreciation to the Oyo State Council of the NUJ for successfully hosting the event with the support of the other five state councils in the South-West.
The communiqué was signed electronically by the NUJ Deputy National President, Dr (Mrs) Abimbola Oyetunde; the NUJ B-Zone Vice President, Comrade Aderonke Afebioye-Samo; and the NAWOJ B-Zone Vice President, Comrade Adeola Adekunle.
