NUJ President Assures Journalists Of Better Welfare Insurance Packages In 2026

By Frederick Peters, KADUNA.

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdul, has assured journalists and media practitioners of improved insurance schemes designed to enhance their welfare and professionalism.

He maintained that with better remuneration and robust insurance packages for practicing journalists in Nigeria, the industry’s potential for excellence is limitless.

Yahya also noted that the confirmation of reputable online professionals/chapel is aimed at integrating those who have served the profession and union over the years and are now retired.

The President disclosed this recently, in a interview during the NUJ Kaduna Press Week, in December, where he discussed several issues concerning the welfare and professional standing of journalists in Nigeria.

He emphasized the need to restore respect and dignity to the journalism profession, adding that journalists must always act as good ambassadors and report news with integrity.

He specifically, called on governments—from the federal to the state level—to improve the salaries of journalists.

The NUJ leadership believes it is time to introduce a new structure to enhance the profession, specifically by implementing health and life insurance for practitioners.

“The goal of the insurance is to ensure that if a journalist passes away, their family is left comfortable and peaceful, not impoverished or struggling,” Yahya said. “This is seen as a way to bring dignity back to the profession in Nigeria.”

While addressing the problem of harassment, he noted that the mistreatment of journalists is a widespread global issue that also affects Nigeria.

He stated that the NUJ leadership is working to sensitize security agents to view journalists as “partners in progress” rather than adversaries.

The National President further highlighted a historical milestone: “For the first time in Nigerian history, the Director-General of the DSS (Department of State Services) publicly requested and apologized to journalists in writing for harassment and mistreatment by some of his personnel in the Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

He believes that improving the relationship between journalists and security agents will help restore respect and honor to the profession. Journalists were also urged to adhere strictly to the laws and codes of the profession.

Regarding the proposed insurance scheme, Yahya hinted that it would help colleagues overcome the challenges of poor remuneration.

According to him, the NUJ intends to introduce insurance premiums in two categories: Health and Life.

The Health Insurance objectives are intended to achieve three main goals:: Reduce maternal mortality, Reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Contribute to achieving Universal Health Coverage. “It will give journalists access to quality healthcare at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels,” he noted.

On Life Insurance, he remarked: “This concept was previously introduced by a former NUJ president, and the current leadership believes it will change the narrative. In the event of death, the family will benefit from an agreed-upon amount.”

The President shared a success story involving the family of a late colleague who was a benefactor of the NUJ; the family now lives in a house purchased by the union, which has since significantly increased in value.

Regarding the inclusion of online professionals into the union, he confirmed that the NUJ decided at a constitutional review conference in Kano to allow reputable and validly registered organizations to join the union.

He stated the move is intended to help integrate and incorporate people who have served the union and the profession but have now retired.

Finally, the NUJ President alluded to the payment of benefits to New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN) retirees following sustained advocacy.

“We were instrumental in securing benefits for former New Nigerian Newspaper staff who were initially denied them for nearly 20 years,” he added. “Over 70% of the staff have now received their benefits, with the remaining 20% expected to be paid early in 2026).”