The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has issued a passionate appeal to the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and other key stakeholders, demanding overdue recognition and support for Nigerian sports journalists who have tirelessly championed the nation’s sports development, often with little or no institutional backing.
In a statement released on Tuesday by SWAN Secretary-General, Ambassador Ikenna Okonkwo, on behalf of the association’s President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, the body expressed deep dissatisfaction with the continuous neglect of sports journalists despite their frontline role in shaping Nigeria’s sports narrative both locally and internationally.
According to President Benjamin, while athletes and technical officials are frequently celebrated and rewarded for their achievements, the media professionals who promote and amplify these feats are routinely sidelined. He noted that this trend stands in stark contrast to international practice, where governments and sports bodies ensure journalists are integral to the industry’s success and welfare structure.
Benjamin described the situation in Nigeria as disheartening, saying, “Unlike what obtains in other parts of the world, the media in Nigeria are often left to their fate. Journalists pay out of pocket to attend and cover events, both locally and abroad, braving extreme weather, high transport and accommodation costs, and even security risks, all without support or recognition.”
Referencing the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Benjamin highlighted that over 25 Nigerian sports journalists personally funded their travel and coverage of the event. Beyond reporting, they became visible supporters of the Super Falcons, boosting team morale and national image without expecting any reward.
Despite their vital contributions, he said, administrators in Nigeria continue to treat the media with disdain. “Most sporting programs are planned and executed without involving the media, even though we are essential to driving public engagement and sustaining interest in sports,” Benjamin said.
He further criticized the exclusion of SWAN and other media bodies from crucial sporting engagements, accusing the NSC and other sports authorities of failing to see journalists as core stakeholders. “It is ironic that when administrators face personal crises, they quickly run to the media. But when it comes to national or international events, the same media are pushed aside under the excuse of ‘no funds,’” he remarked.
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President Benjamin commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors, and former Nigerian leaders for rewarding athletes and officials with houses, cash, and national honours, but urged them to extend similar gestures to sports journalists who have consistently promoted Nigerian athletes and sporting milestones without fanfare.
“Journalists are not asking for favours, they are asking for fairness,” he stated. “As the backbone of sports communication and public visibility, journalists deserve better. We must stop treating them as expendable. They are humans too, who have devoted years, even decades of their lives to ensuring Nigerian sports thrive.”
He called on the leadership of the NSC, the NFF, and all sports federations to adopt a more inclusive approach by prioritizing media welfare, offering institutional support, and recognizing the media as a critical component of Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.
As the push for equity and recognition intensifies, SWAN’s message is clear: Nigerian sports journalism cannot continue to thrive in the shadows. For sports to reach its full potential in the country, the storytellers, those behind the headlines, match reports, and exclusive interviews, must also be acknowledged and empowered.
