As part of ongoing efforts to deepen democratic participation and amplify women’s voices in Nigeria’s political landscape, the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, has commenced a series of high-level consultative forums with key media stakeholders. The initiative is supported by the European Union under its flagship Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN II) programme.
The forums—organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP)—are scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Port Harcourt and on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Abuja. They are focused on strengthening the role of women journalists in promoting inclusive governance and more gender-responsive political reporting.
Speaking ahead of the sessions, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, said the consultations aim to explore innovative, solution-driven approaches for empowering women journalists as key agents of gender equality in media and politics.
“At the heart of these consultations is our commitment to amplifying women’s voices in the media—especially around elections and political participation,” Arogundade said. “We are bringing together female editors, producers, presenters, and senior media executives across print, broadcast, and online platforms, alongside the leadership of NAWOJ and GOCOP, to ensure a collaborative and impactful engagement.”
The consultative sessions will also explore how female journalists can play a more active role in shaping public discourse and advocating for increased representation of women in governance. Participants are expected to generate practical strategies that enhance the visibility of women’s issues in news content and political coverage.
“Journalism must be seen not only as a profession but as a strategic tool for influencing public debate and policy outcomes,” Arogundade added. “We expect concrete outputs from these engagements, including performance benchmarks, strategic frameworks for ongoing collaboration, and formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to guide implementation.”
The consultations are part of IPC’s broader strategy to empower women journalists as catalysts for wider gender empowerment, particularly in the context of Nigeria’s post-2023 midterm political landscape and the road to the 2027 elections.
The EU-SDGN II programme, which supports INEC, the National Assembly, the Judiciary, civil society, political parties, and the media, reflects the EU’s commitment to strengthening democracy in Nigeria. Its goal is to ensure a participatory, inclusive, and accountable democratic process that leaves no voice behind.
Participants at the forums will examine sustainable media strategies for promoting gender equity in political reporting, encouraging female political participation, and ensuring that women’s voices are effectively represented in governance processes.
