Lagos, Nigeria – In a renewed push to boost democratic participation and elevate the voices of women in Nigeria’s political discourse, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, has initiated a series of high-level consultative forums with key media stakeholders.
These engagements, supported by the European Union under the Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme, are aimed at enhancing the capacity and professionalism of female journalists in reporting on women-centred issues related to elections, governance, and democratic processes.
Organised in partnership with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), the forum is scheduled for Saturday, 24 May 2025 in Port Harcourt and Tuesday, 27 May 2025 in Abuja.
The EU-SDGN II programme underscores the European Union’s wider commitment to promoting a pluralistic, inclusive, and participatory democracy in Nigeria.
It comprises five strategic components that support INEC, the National Assembly and Judiciary, political parties, civil society, and the media, each geared towards strengthening democratic institutions through coordinated, long-term initiatives.
The overall goal is to cultivate a democratic environment where no voice is left unheard.
“At the heart of these consultations is our commitment to exploring innovative, solutions-driven approaches that will amplify women’s voices in the media, especially in the context of elections and political participation,” said Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC.
He further explained that the forums will bring together female editors, producers, presenters, and senior media professionals from across print, broadcast, and digital platforms, alongside the national leadership of NAWOJ and GOCOP, to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative effort.
“These forums will also focus on empowering women journalists to play a more active role in advocating for the increased representation of women in politics and governance. Journalism must be seen not just as a profession, but as a strategic tool for shaping public discourse and influencing policy outcomes,” Arogundade added.
He noted that the engagements are expected to yield tangible outcomes, including strategic frameworks for ongoing collaboration, performance benchmarks, and formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to guide future implementation.
Arogundade emphasised that these consultations are part of IPC’s broader strategy to position women journalists as vital agents of gender empowerment and political inclusion.
“These initiatives are aimed at empowering women journalists in ways that enable them to contribute meaningfully to the empowerment of women generally and female politicians in particular, especially as we assess the post-2023 midterm period and look towards 2027,” he said.
Participants will be tasked with developing actionable strategies to enhance the visibility and influence of women journalists across Nigeria in championing women’s issues, promoting representation, and fostering gender-inclusive governance
