NUJ FCT PUSHES FOR SECRETARIAT COMPLETION AS FCDA REVIEWS INFRASTRUCTURE DEMAND

By: Abusadiq Hassan

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has renewed its call for the completion of its Secretariat and for stronger professional infrastructure to support journalists in the FCT.

According to a statement from the Council the call came during a strategic meeting with the executive management of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in Abuja.

While addressing the NUJ Team, the Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr. Richard Yonana Dauda, acknowledged the importance of the requests but noted that infrastructure decisions involve several layers of approval.

The Executive Secretary also admitted that funding remains a serious challenge. “The needs are so much… funds are a very critical factor,” he stated.

 Engr. Dauda advised that the Director of Public Buildings would conduct an on-site assessment of the NUJ Secretariat, a move the union sees as a positive step towards renewed progress.

Earlier in her speech, Comrade Grace Ike, the union’s  chairman, the delegation emphasised the urgent need to complete the long-abandoned NUJ FCT Secretariat and to allocate mass housing for journalists.

Comrade Ike stressed that the appeal was about more than buildings, highlighting the crucial role journalists play in defending democracy and holding institutions accountable.

“We are frontline agents of democracy, accountability, and development,” she said, adding that proper infrastructure would greatly improve journalists’ ability to fulfil their national duties.

The NUJ FCT Council highlighted three key priorities: Completion of the NUJ FCT Secretariat, a modern training and mentorship hub for media professionals, and Mass housing allocation for journalists in the FCT.

The Council explained that a fully equipped Secretariat would serve as a professional hub for capacity-building, collaboration, and media development across the capital.

The meeting furthermore strengthened a growing spirit of collaboration between journalists and city development authorities. With a woman now leading the NUJ FCT, the meeting also reflected a wider shift in Nigeria’s professional environment, one that values inclusiveness and dialogue.

For the NUJ FCT Council, the journey ahead may demand patience and persistent advocacy. But Monday’s engagement marks a meaningful step in their long-standing effort to secure a functional Secretariat and housing support for journalists serving the nation’s capital.