Abuja: Keffi, Nasarawa State: Former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, has raised concerns over the deepening threats facing professional journalism in Nigeria. Isiguzo voiced these concerns at the NUJ FCT 2025 Capacity Building Programme for Information and Media Officers on Tuesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Isiguzo warned that unchecked misinformation, unregulated online content, and a lack of legislative protection for journalists could further endanger the country’s democracy. He highlighted that the proliferation of digital tools and the rapid expansion of social media have created an environment where non-professionals now dominate the information landscape, often with damaging consequences.
Isiguzo stated, “We are able to attack it headlong, then we are going to be in trouble. The tools we have now are available to our young stars and they can do anything with it. The professionals must have to invade-be it social media or whatever name you call it to be able to displace the people that are having free movement. Social media influencers, content creators, they are churning out all sorts, and the professionals must be there to control.”
The former NUJ president further warned about the ‘fifth law of misinformation’, which is now causing chaos and mayhem, exacerbated by the activities of citizen journalists who operate without gatekeeping or ethical checks. He emphasized the need for professional standards, saying, “Whatever you turn out must accommodate the fundamentals, so whoever is reading what you are publishing will say this is a professional doing the job.”
Isiguzo also noted that Nigeria lacks a legal framework protecting journalists, unlike countries such as Ghana, Malawi, and the U.S., where media freedoms are constitutionally enshrined. He expressed concern that the absence of such legislation poses a threat to democracy and good governance, likening it to a toxic element that could harm the democratic system.
He advised journalists to shoulder their constitutional responsibility of ensuring accountability but acknowledged that they continue to work under the threat of harassment, arrest, intimidation, or even incarceration. “The only thing that can protect them is the piece of legislation,” Isiguzo asserted.
In her keynote speech, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Ms. Grace Ike, said the capacity-building programme is a bold and strategic commitment to strengthening professionalism in Nigeria’s communication landscape. Ike emphasized the importance of the programme’s theme, ‘Enhancing Image Making, Public Relations, Social Media Management, and Media Visibility in the Public Sector’, noting its timeliness given the rapid spread of information and the influence of digital platforms.
Ike highlighted the evolving role of information officers, which now includes strategy, crisis management, content creation, digital engagement, and safeguarding institutional reputation. She stressed that continuous learning is essential for relevance in today’s media environment, stating, “When we invest in training, we invest in excellence. When we invest in knowledge, we elevate the credibility of our institutions.”
She encouraged participants from various sectors, including the Ministry of Information, Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), the military, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and media houses, to take the training seriously. Ike expressed optimism that the programme would equip participants with tools to combat misinformation, enhance public communication, and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic ecosystem.
In her goodwill message, Head of Corporate Communications at NCC, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, represented by the Principal Manager, Public Affairs Mr. Tunde Akpeji, said the workshop aims to strengthen staff professionalism and equip participants to engage confidently within the public communication space. Ukoha added that investing in personnel skills is crucial for driving positive change across the telecommunications industry, emphasizing that the training will enhance information officers’ competencies to effectively communicate the industry’s commitment to protecting critical national information infrastructure.
The capacity-building programme is part of the FCT NUJ’s broader initiative to strengthen ethical standards, improve government communication, and ensure that journalists and information officers remain effective guardians of the public interest amid rising misinformation threats.