The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has strengthened its commitment to gender equality in sports journalism, with 40 of its members participating in the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Women Commission seminar on advancing gender equality in sports media.
- The two-day seminar, scheduled in Abuja for October 26 – 27, 2026, brings together sports journalists to examine the role of the media in promoting gender inclusion, improvi
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ng the visibility of women in sports and encouraging more balanced, gender-sensitive reporting.
SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, in a statement via the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, on Sunday welcomed the initiative but called for more intentional and sustained engagement with the Association’s leadership at national and state levels to strengthen institutional collaboration and visibility across Nigeria’s sports administration and activities.
Benjamin stressed that sports journalists are critical stakeholders in sports development and should be actively involved in conversations, programmes and policy initiatives that shape the industry.
The SWAN President who will serve as a Resourse Person at the event, called on sports institutions, federations, commissions and other relevant stakeholders to move beyond occasional invitations and establish structured partnerships with SWAN leadership to ensure effective communication, broader participation and better coverage of sporting activities nationwide.
According to him, engaging SWAN through its established leadership structures would help sports organisations reach a wider network of professionals, improve information dissemination and promote stronger relationships between administrators and the media.
The SWAN president also emphasised the importance of recognising the Association’s national reach, noting that its members play significant roles in reporting sports development initiatives, holding administrators accountable and amplifying the achievements of athletes across the country.
The participation of 40 SWAN members in the NOC Women Commission programme underscored the Association’s commitment to capacity building and the advancement of women in sports.
The seminar is being organised by the NOC Women Commission, a statutory commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee established in line with the International Olympic Committee’s mandate to promote gender equality and inclusion in sports.
The Commission works to increase the participation, retention and leadership of women and girls in sports as athletes, coaches, technical officials and administrators, while advocating safe-sport practices and gender-sensitive policies.
The October seminar focuses specifically on sports journalists, recognising the influence of media coverage on public perception, opportunities for female athletes and the wider development of women’s sports.
Through capacity building and professional engagement, the programme seeks to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills required to challenge gender stereotypes, improve the representation of women and girls in sports reporting, and ensure that female athletes and administrators receive appropriate media attention.
The NOC Women Commission has previously organised capacity-building programmes for female coaches, sports administrators and technical officials across Nigeria.
Its latest engagement with SWAN extended that commitment to the media, whose reporting can help shape attitudes, influence institutional priorities and encourage greater investment in women’s sports.
The Commission had formally notified SWAN of the seminar and requested the Association’s assistance in mobilising participants and publicising the programme, recognising its strategic role in sports development and information dissemination.
