By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja — The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, says more than 65 per cent of journalists operating in the Federal Capital Territory have been enrolled in the Council’s newly launched Health Insurance Scheme, designed to address long-standing welfare challenges faced by media professionals.
Ike described the initiative as a historic milestone, noting that it represents the first structured health insurance programme specifically created for journalists in the FCT.
According to her, the scheme is aimed at providing healthcare protection for journalists who often work under demanding conditions without adequate welfare support.
“Journalists dedicate their lives to informing the public and shaping national conversations, yet their welfare is often overlooked. This initiative is about protecting those who work tirelessly to keep society informed,” she said.
Speaking during the unveiling of the healthcare initiative, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, called on philanthropists, political leaders, business executives and religious institutions to support journalists by sponsoring health insurance coverage for them.
Fasawe noted that journalists play a critical role in amplifying citizens’ voices and holding institutions accountable, yet many operate without access to basic healthcare protection.
“My purpose of coming here today is to ask political office holders, religious leaders and individuals who want their voices to be heard to buy health insurance for a journalist,” she said.
She commended the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr., for supporting the programme and helping initiate insurance coverage for journalists.
Fasawe also disclosed that she provided 150 free health insurance slots for NUJ members, while the Permanent Secretary in the FCT Health Secretariat, Babagana Adam, pledged to sponsor 50 additional journalists in memory of his late brother.
She further announced an additional 50 insurance slots during the event, bringing the total coverage to about 480 journalists out of the estimated 800 practitioners operating in the FCT.
According to her, the expansion of health insurance coverage aligns with ongoing healthcare reforms being implemented by the FCT Administration under the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Fasawe noted that the administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward maternal mortality and has expanded access to free antenatal care and delivery services for vulnerable pregnant women across primary healthcare centres in the territory.
Also speaking, the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, described the programme as a critical intervention, noting that less than one per cent of Nigerian journalists currently have access to health insurance.
He said the low coverage has left many media practitioners vulnerable to high out-of-pocket medical expenses.
The programme, unveiled during the NUJ FCT Congress attended by more than 450 members, was widely welcomed by journalists who described it as a long-awaited step toward improving the welfare and security of media professionals in Nigeria’s capital.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that sustained support from government institutions, private organisations and philanthropists would help expand health insurance coverage to all journalists operating in the Federal Capital Territory.
