Comrade Adewale Akodu has assumed office as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, with a pledge to prioritise the welfare, professional development, rights and interests of journalists in the state.
Akodu made the commitment on Monday, 9 November 2026, during his swearing-in ceremony held at the NUJ Lagos State Council Secretariat, 22 Iyalla Street, Alausa, Ikeja.
The new chairman, who expressed gratitude to members for entrusting him with the mandate, said his administration would be guided by three major pillars: *welfarism, professionalism and capacity building*.
He said the administration would pursue practical programmes aimed at improving the welfare of journalists, promoting continuous professional development, strengthening ethical journalism, and equipping members with the skills required to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven media environment.
Akodu also pledged to protect the rights and professional interests of members, stressing that the Union would not remain silent whenever the welfare, dignity or professional integrity of any journalist was threatened.
According to him, the new leadership would intensify engagement with media owners and employers to advocate regular and timely payment of salaries, improved working conditions, better remuneration and respect for the rights of media professionals.
He said the administration was committed to achieving measurable results through purposeful engagement, strategic partnerships and consistent advocacy, rather than making promises without corresponding action.
The NUJ Lagos chairman further pledged to build a united and inclusive Council where every member would enjoy equal recognition, respect and opportunity to contribute to the development of the Union.
He called on members across the various chapels to work together, irrespective of their affiliations, and promised to promote mutual respect, fairness, transparency and comradeship within the Council.
Akodu assured members that his administration would operate with accountability, transparency and consultation, while maintaining an open-door policy that would encourage constructive criticism and meaningful participation in the affairs of the Council.
He also promised to strengthen the relationship between the Lagos State Council and the NUJ National Secretariat, sister state councils, individual chapels and other relevant institutions and stakeholders.
He said the Council would work to position Lagos NUJ as a credible, respected and influential voice within the media industry, while protecting the image of the Union and upholding the ethics of journalism.
The new chairman acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting that while every problem might not disappear immediately, his administration would confront them with courage, sincerity and determination.
Akodu also extended an invitation to his fellow contestants and members who supported different candidates during the election to join hands with the new administration.
He urged members to put the election behind them and work collectively for the progress of the Union, stressing that an election should not destroy the bond of brotherhood among members of the same professional family.
“The campaign is over; the task of building a stronger Union has just begun,” he said, calling for unity, service and collective progress.
The chairman also appealed to elders, past leaders, chapel executives, senior journalists and young practitioners to contribute their experience, ideas and energy towards the success of the new administration.
He said the new executive would regard its mandate as a call to service rather than a personal triumph, adding that leadership should be measured by its impact on the lives of those entrusted to its care.
Akodu declared that his administration would strive to build a Union where journalists are respected, their welfare protected, their professional capacities strengthened and their voices heard.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Olatunbosun Ogunbanwo; Deputy National President of the NUJ, Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde; former national presidents of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Toro Oladapo and Hajia Ifeanyiwa Omowole; Vice Chairman, Zone B, Mrs Ronke Samo; NUJ elders and leaders; Chairman, NAWOJ Lagos, Comrade Jumoke Johnson; immediate past Chairman of NUJ Lagos State Council, Comrade Adeleye Ajayi; immediate past Secretary, Comrade Tunde Olalere; and other members of the immediate past executive, among other delegates and journalists.
Akodu concluded by calling on members to support the new administration, saying the success of the Council would ultimately depend on the collective commitment of its members.
