Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, in collaboration with international development partners, has called for ethical and child-sensitive journalism as a key strategy in preventing the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts.
The call was made during a capacity-building workshop in Abuja, jointly organised by the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR). The training brought together journalists, diplomats, development partners, and child protection advocates.
Representing the Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, the Council Treasurer, Comrade Sandra Chukwugekwu, underscored the media’s critical role in shaping public understanding of child protection issues and influencing policy responses.
She stressed that journalists must adopt responsible and child-centred reporting practices that protect the rights, dignity, and welfare of children affected by conflict.
“The media has a central role to play in addressing this crisis. As journalists, we shape public awareness, influence policy debates, and hold institutions accountable,” she said.
Chukwugekwu cautioned against sensational reporting of child-related conflict stories, urging journalists to safeguard children’s identities and focus attention on the root causes of recruitment, including poverty, limited access to education, family instability, and social exclusion.
She also advocated stronger collaboration among government agencies, security institutions, civil society organisations, and the media to prevent child recruitment while supporting rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for affected children.
Speaking at the workshop, the Country Representative of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, Mrs. Offiong Nsa, described journalists as indispensable partners in exposing child recruitment networks and amplifying the voices of vulnerable children impacted by conflict.
“You are not merely chroniclers of conflict; you are powerful human rights advocates. Through ethical, child-centred reporting, you can expose recruitment networks and shift the narrative from perpetrators to vulnerable victims,” she said.
Nsa noted that the training was designed to equip participants with trauma-informed reporting skills and practical tools for covering sensitive child protection issues safely and responsibly.
Also speaking, the Africa Programme Director of Journalists for Human Rights, Mr. Mustapha Dumbuya, said the organisation remains committed to advancing human rights through media development initiatives across Africa.
According to him, the workshop aims to strengthen journalists’ capacity in ethical reporting, personal safety in conflict environments, and the responsible use of digital platforms.
“We believe the media is a critical entry point for advancing human rights and holding duty-bearers accountable,” Dumbuya stated.
Representing the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Counsellor (Political), Mr. Omar Alihashi, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to protecting children affected by armed conflict through support for international initiatives, including the Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers.
“Journalists play a particularly important role through accurate, ethical and responsible reporting. This workshop reflects our shared commitment to prevention, partnership and knowledge sharing,” he said.
Organisers disclosed that the training will continue over the coming days, focusing on key areas such as child-centred reporting, trauma-informed journalism, digital ethics, and gender-sensitive approaches to conflict reporting.
