Adebayo Adenrele
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) have called on the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to immediately commence negotiations for a review of the current ₦70,000 national minimum wage, arguing that soaring inflation has significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power.
This call was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the Joint South-West Leadership Retreat of the NUJ and NAWOJ held at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan, Oyo State, between July 16 and 18, 2026.
The retreat, themed “Collaboration, Capacity, and Sustainability for the Future of Journalism,” brought together delegates from the six South-West states, including national officers, zonal executives, state chairmen and chairpersons, secretaries and members of the State Working Committees of both organisations.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the three-day meeting and co-signed by Deputy National President of the NUJ, Dr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Oyetunde; the NUJ South-West Vice President, Comrade Aderonke Afebioye-Samo and the NAWOJ South-West Vice President, Comrade Adeola Adekunle.
The unions said organised labour should initiate discussions with relevant authorities on the need to review the minimum wage to reflect the country’s prevailing economic realities.
The communiqué commended the national leadership of the NUJ under its President, Comrade Yahya Alhassan, for initiatives aimed at improving journalism practice and enhancing the welfare of members.
On national development, the retreat praised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing construction of major road infrastructure projects across the South-West, while urging contractors handling the projects to accelerate work to ensure their timely completion.
The journalists also applauded the peaceful conduct of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election and challenged stakeholders to replicate the same level of peaceful and credible electoral process during the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
The retreat further commended the leadership of the NUJ Deputy National President, Dr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Oyetunde, the NUJ South-West (B-Zone) Vice President, Princess Aderonke Afebioye-Samo, and the NAWOJ South-West Vice President, Comrade Adeola Adekunle, for promoting stability and unprecedented unity within the zone.
The communiqué reads, “That the Retreat emphasised that absolute unity between the NUJ and NAWOJ is non-negotiable. Leaders are urged to always speak with one voice.
“That the Zone reinterated that institutional hierarchy must be maintained. The NUJ remains the parent body for all its affiliated associations, while its leadership structure takes constitutional precedence, and leadership positions must be handled with humility and respect.
“That the Zone expresses its readiness to soon host the NUJ National Media Summit in the Southwest.
“That the Retreat Hails the National Leadership of the NUJ led by Comrade Yahya Alhassan for various initiatives and programmes to improve journalism practice in the country.
“That the Retreat urges the NLC/TUC to commence negotiations on how to review the current national minimum wage of N70,000 in line with prevailing economic reality as inflation has already eroded the wage.
“That the Retreat commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over the ongoing construction of major roads projects in the Southwest, calling on contractors handling them to step up level of work for timely completion.
“That NUJ/NAWOJ Applauds peaceful conduct of the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship election, challenging the stakeholders to ensure similar hitch-free process is recorded during the forthcoming 2026 Osun State Governorship election.
“That the Retreat commends efforts of the leaders as led by the NUJ Deputy National President, Dr (Mrs) Abimbola Oyetunde and the NUJ B-Zone Vice President, Princess Aderonke Samo for ensuring stability and unprecedented unity in the Southwest zone.
“That the Southwest NUJ/NAWOJ appreciates Oyo Council of NUJ for hosting a successful Retreat, with the support of other five State Councils in the zone”.
