On August 26 and 27, 2025, a pivotal gathering in Lagos brought together Nigeria’s leading voices in media, public health, and policy to confront the nation’s persistent crises in maternal health and gender-based violence. Hosted by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in partnership with the Lagos State Government and EngenderHealth, the two-day training workshop was more than just another conference—it was a clarion call for traditional media to step up as active participants in the fight for gender justice and improved health outcomes.
The workshop, themed “Empowering Media Voices To Drive Social Change In Health and Gender Issues,” assembled journalists and broadcasters from across the spectrum of print and electronic media. Among them were Chioma Umeha, Health Editor at Independent Newspapers; Victor Oteri, Producer and Presenter at Traffic Radio; Tosin Odusola, Presenter and Producer at Radio Lagos/Eko; Nkem Okibe, Senior Health Correspondent at Health Watch and NTA; and Yusuf Adekunle, Program Manager at The Nation. These media professionals were tasked not just with reporting on Nigeria’s health landscape, but with becoming champions for gender equity, family planning, and the broader umbrella of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH).
“Media professionals are not just observers,” declared Solomon Dogo, Director of Programmes at ISMPH, as he addressed the attendees. “They are critical stakeholders, alongside lawmakers and government officials, in the mission to end maternal and child mortality.” According to Dogo, the media’s influence extends far beyond headlines and airwaves—it shapes public perception, holds power to account, and can mobilize communities toward lasting change.
The urgency of this mission was underscored by Segun Ogunyinka, representing the Lagos State Ministry of Health. Ogunyinka acknowledged the significant strides Lagos has made in promoting maternal and child health and in curbing gender-based violence. Yet, he was quick to point out the work that remains. “We need better collaboration across all levels,” he said, urging both the media and the public to expose corruption and malpractice in health facilities that threaten to undermine the state’s efforts. His call for transparency and accountability resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by women and children seeking care.
The workshop’s sessions were not limited to lectures and panel discussions. Facilitator Olumide Olaniyan challenged participants to embrace digital platforms while maintaining the rigorous standards of traditional journalism. “Why do we say traditional media influencers?” Olaniyan asked. “Because we verify our facts.” He cautioned against the unchecked spread of misinformation on social media, where harmful stereotypes and falsehoods can go viral in a matter of hours. “When misinformation appears in respected publications, it carries dangerous credibility,” he warned. “We are challenged to challenge these harmful stereotypes.”
Breakout sessions revealed a shared consensus: ethical, factual, and inclusive journalism isn’t just a professional standard—it’s a lifeline for millions of Nigerians. Participants discussed practical strategies for bridging communication gaps in public health, especially in reaching marginalized communities. The message was clear: the media must do more than inform; it must inspire action and foster trust.
This call to action comes at a critical juncture. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria continues to lag behind other African nations in several key health performance indices, including maternal healthcare, disease control, and access to quality care. At the annual general meeting and scientific conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) FCT chapter on August 27, 2025, WHO Nigeria health economist Francis Ukwuije emphasized the need for Nigeria to intensify efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Nigeria is a large country with significant health investments, so we expect stronger improvements in maternal healthcare, communicable and non-communicable diseases, health system capacity, and access,” Ukwuije said, as reported by Premium Times. He expressed optimism that the current administration’s health sector investment program could help reduce maternal deaths, expand insurance coverage, and better protect vulnerable populations. Yet, Ukwuije stressed that full implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s healthcare reform blueprint at all levels of government is essential for lasting progress. “Data from WHO indicates that Nigeria continues to lag behind other African nations in these areas,” he noted, underscoring the urgency of the reforms.
In his address, Ukwuije called on both health professionals and ordinary citizens to support these reforms, highlighting the collective responsibility required to achieve better outcomes. “Full implementation at all levels of government is vital to achieve lasting improvements,” he insisted. The sentiment echoed the workshop’s consensus in Lagos: lasting change requires coordinated action from every sector—media, government, healthcare, and the public.
The NMA-FCT conference also featured a keynote address by Titus Ibekwe, Provost of the College of Health Sciences at Yakubu Gowon University. Ibekwe delved into the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine, particularly in oncology. “AI has revolutionised healthcare, from data management to complex robotic surgeries. Its accuracy is near perfect in many areas, though challenges remain,” Ibekwe observed. His remarks pointed to the future of healthcare in Nigeria—one that blends technological innovation with strong human oversight and ethical standards.
Meanwhile, the NMA-FCT Chairperson, Emeka Ayogu, used the occasion to urge the government to ensure that the families of doctors who died in service in the Federal Capital Territory receive their full benefits. Ayogu honored five late doctors and praised the chapter’s ongoing advocacy and reforms, reminding attendees of the sacrifices made by health professionals in the line of duty. The event concluded with awards to distinguished individuals who had supported the NMA-FCT’s activities and objectives, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Back in Lagos, as the ISMPH workshop drew to a close, the mood was one of cautious optimism. Participants agreed that Nigeria’s twin crises of maternal mortality and gender-based violence will not be solved by policy alone. The media’s role—as watchdog, storyteller, and advocate—remains indispensable. “Ethical, factual, and inclusive journalism is not just a professional standard – it is a lifeline,” the workshop concluded.
As Nigeria stands at a crossroads, the message from both Lagos and Abuja is clear: the path to better health and gender equity runs through collaboration, transparency, and a media committed to truth and justice. The stakes could not be higher, but with renewed resolve, the nation’s storytellers may yet help script a brighter, healthier future for all.
