The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase II (EU-SDGN) programme has embarked on strategic engagement with the management of print media organisations in the country as part of efforts to strengthen professionalism in the coverage of elections.
The programme, led by the implementing partner under Component 4b – Support to Media, recently visited the management team of Leadership Newspapers at its Abuja office. The move is part of a broader plan aimed at advancing ethical, inclusive, and impactful journalism ahead of upcoming off-cycles and the 2027 general elections.
As Nigeria braces up for another general election in 2027, efforts directed at strengthening the know-how and knowledge of the media in providing accurate and diverse coverage of the process are key to promoting understanding and participation. In the course of its engagement, the team will, among other things, assess the different newsrooms and proffer practical steps for their improvement.
Collaboration between print and online media operators was encouraged. Also, the team urged newsrooms to prioritise public interest reporting while paying increased attention to the underrepresented voices, and this will guarantee inclusivity and an accountable electoral process.
Attending the interface were Mr. Bayo Amodu, editor and head of story at Leadership Newspapers; Mrs. Rahilat-Ahmed Yusuf, managing editor at Leadership Newspapers; Mr. Lanre Arogundade; and Mr. Sanmi Falobi. Their participation seemed to demonstrate a common concern towards the challenges of electoral reporting.
This engagment is one in a series of activities under the EU-SDGN programme, designed to support a media landscape that upholds democratic values and informs citizens with professionalism and integrity. Through such initiatives, EU-SDGN continues to promote a more transparent, inclusive, and resilient democratic environment in Nigeria.
