
By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria – September 27, 2025 – The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has joined forces with the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) to launch a sensitization and training campaign on safe blood donation.
The initiative, unveiled in Abuja, seeks to boost public awareness, strengthen media advocacy, and promote voluntary blood donation as a critical tool for saving lives in Nigeria.
Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Felix Ojo, said the partnership underscores the media’s responsibility to bridge the gap between health agencies and the public. “This initiative is about service to humanity. Journalists must continue to inform and educate Nigerians on vital issues like safe blood donation,” he noted.
Director-General of NBSA, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, commended the collaboration, warning that Nigeria currently meets only about 40 percent of its blood demand. He stressed that increased awareness and voluntary donation could prevent thousands of avoidable deaths, particularly from maternal mortality, cancer, and road accidents.

Supporting this view, Dr. Sani Abubakar Bako, a Director with NBSA, explained that the country requires at least two million units of blood annually. He emphasized that preventable deaths could be drastically reduced through improved donor mobilization and stronger health systems.
Head of Media and Communication at NBSA, Haruna Abdullahi, added that blood donation should be seen as “a gift that sustains lives and families,” urging journalists to integrate blood donation advocacy into their reportage.
In a symbolic gesture, NUJ President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, led by example with a voluntary blood donation. He called on journalists nationwide to amplify awareness and push for stronger healthcare funding, especially for blood transfusion services.
The event concluded with voluntary donations by FCT journalists, marking what organizers described as a “powerful demonstration of service to humanity.” Both NUJ and NBSA pledged to sustain the partnership, ensuring continuous public enlightenment on safe blood donation and broader healthcare advocacy.