The Nigerian Senate has signalled that it will move to protect the health and welfare of journalists. According to The Cabal's front page of 29 September 2026, a bill seeks to make health insurance mandatory for media workers and to create an emergency medical fund for the profession.
The bill is to be sponsored by Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who chairs the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs. It is long overdue. (naijanews)
The scale of the gap is stark. The NUJ National President, Alhassan Yahya, has said that studies indicate less than one per cent of Nigerian journalists have any form of health insurance.
Reporters Without Borders describes Nigeria as one of West Africa's most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists. Its 2026 Index ranks the country 112th out of 180, a ten-place improvement that still leaves it in the "difficult" category.
Beyond physical danger, RSF notes that very few Nigerian media outlets are in good economic health, and significant salary delays leave journalists vulnerable.
Welfare cannot depend on publishers who struggle to pay salaries on time. The idea behind the bill is sound, and there is a local precedent.
The NUJ FCT Council has launched a health insurance scheme for journalists in Abuja, and about 480 journalists have been enrolled through contributions from various stakeholders, roughly 65 per cent of those in the FCT.
The National Assembly's own press corps has also been covered: the House of Representatives Committee on Information chairman, Akin Rotimi Jr., said the initiative reflected the 10th Assembly's commitment to journalists' wellbeing. A national law would take what Abuja has done and make it a right rather than a favour.
Good intentions in Abuja have a way of dying in implementation, though, and lawmakers should answer a few questions before this bill moves:
Who pays? The FCT scheme was built on contributions from several stakeholders.
A shared model involving government, employers and the fund itself is likelier to work than one that leaves struggling media houses to carry the whole burden.
Who counts as a journalist? Freelancers, stringers and community reporters must be covered, or the bill will protect only those already best protected.
Who governs the fund? It needs transparent management, with the NUJ and other press bodies at the table, so it does not become another vehicle for patronage.
What about mental health? Trauma from covering conflict and disasters is real, and cover should reflect it.
There is also a political caution. RSF notes that Nigeria's media suffer from concentrated ownership, a high level of government interference, and pressure that increases during elections.
A press that depends on the legislature for its welfare must not become a press that fears the legislature's displeasure. The bill's drafters should build in safeguards so that support never turns into leverage.
Other legislatures are moving in the same direction. In the Philippines, a Senate bill filed this month would give media personnel mandatory additional insurance in the event of death or injury in the course of their duties.
Nigeria would not be alone in treating this as a public duty. Still, the direction is right. If the Senate follows through with a well-designed law, it will have done something rare: put those who hold power to account in a position to do so in good health.
Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,
International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. (USIP)
[email protected]
+233555275880
Sources
The Cabal, Vol. 1 No. 174, front page, 29 September 2026: "Senate Moves To Protect Journalists' Health, Welfare"
Blueprint, "Less than one percent journalists have health insurance – NUJ President": https://blueprint.ng/less-than-one-percent-journalists-have-health-insurance-nuj-president/
Vanguard, "NUJ FCT launches health insurance scheme for journalists" (March 2026): https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/03/nuj-fct-launches-health-insurance-scheme-for-journalists/
Champion Newspapers, "House Press Corps members get health insurance coverage" (20 Feb 2026): https://championnews.com.ng/2026/02/20/house-press-corps-members-get-health-insurance-coverage/
RSF, Nigeria country profile, World Press Freedom Index 2026: https://rsf.org/en/country/nigeria
TheCable, "Nigeria ranked 112th in 2026 press freedom index" (30 April 2026): https://www.thecable.ng/nigeria-ranked-112th-in-2026-press-freedom-index-up-10-places-but-still-in-difficult-category/
FIJ, "Nigeria Drops 10 Places in Press Freedom Ranking" (2 May 2025), summarising RSF's 2025 findings: https://fij.ng/article/nigeria-drops-10-places-in-press-freedom-ranking/
NaijaNews, "Akpabio Sends Important Message To Lawmakers, Journalists" (28 Sept 2026), on Adaramodu's committee role: https://www.naijanews.com/2026/09/28/akpabio-lawmakers-journalists/
Philstar, "P650 hazard pay, additional benefits for media workers proposed in Senate" (8 Sept 2026): https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/09/08/2554847/p650-hazard-pay-additional-benefits-media-workers-proposed-senate
We have cut cost of capital by more than half since Mahama took office – Ato For...
Dr Bertha Ayi on how parents hurt children by raising them only on English
Customs intercepts three firearms, 610 rounds of ammunition at Tema Port
NDC to open nominations for 2026 regional executive elections on October 6
Africa will be mostly self-sufficient in fuel by 2030: Dangote to AFP
PRETAG threatens to intensify strike over unpaid teacher entitlements
Lands Minister exits GoldBod Board as Minister's Chief Director takes over
Court refuses bail for six accused in 3.9-tonne cocaine shipment case
Philippines to open first-ever embassy in Ghana
1992 Constitution review: Prof. Atsu Ayee and Dr Osae-Kwapong explain why Consti...
