By Emmanuel Onwubiko
Insecurity in Nigeria has evolved into a hydra-headed monster—terrorism, insurgency, banditry, herdsmen violence, piracy, armed robbery, secessionist agitations, and inter-communal clashes continue to stretch the limits of our security forces and national cohesion. These multidimensional threats, aggravated by economic desperation and institutional decay, have created one of the most volatile security environments in sub-Saharan Africa.
While the Nigerian state continues to invest heavily in kinetic approaches—military operations, intelligence frameworks, hardware acquisition—an equally potent, albeit underutilized, force exists in the realm of media and communication. More specifically, within the often-overlooked substructure of that force lies the unique and transformative potential of women journalists.
These women, armed not with rifles but with recorders, pens, cameras, and an unrelenting commitment to truth, are gradually redefining what it means to safeguard the nation. Their role in national security, though subtle and largely unheralded, is vital to any honest conversation about curbing insecurity in Nigeria.
Too often, national security discourse omits media actors except when discussing sensationalism or misinformation. Yet, credible journalism is a stabilizing agent. It educates the public, provides early warning signs, holds government accountable, and amplifies the voices of communities on the frontlines of violence. In this domain, women journalists possess critical, distinctive tools—access, empathy, contextual insight, and resilience—that allow them to play an indispensable role in the architecture of peacebuilding and national security. They are not merely reporters; they are field-based analysts, truth-bearers, and community bridges whose work often goes unacknowledged by the state, the media industry, and the public at large.
From the creeks of the Niger Delta to the forests of Zamfara, from the IDP camps in Maiduguri to the barricaded towns in the South-East, women journalists have defied systemic and physical obstacles to tell stories that matter. In many rural or patriarchal communities, especially during crises, women survivors are more willing to speak with female reporters—leading to deeply insightful and humane narratives that would otherwise be inaccessible. These narratives are not just emotional appeals; they form the evidence base for humanitarian responses, psychosocial interventions, and policy redirection.
Take, for instance, the aftermath of the 2014 abduction of over 270 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram. While male journalists provided the initial news flash and political commentary, it was female correspondents, often freelancers or community-based radio journalists, who sustained attention on the issue through interviews with mothers, schoolteachers, clergy, and the traumatized returnees. Their reportage humanized a tragedy that might have been buried in the next cycle of breaking news. It also sparked international outrage and diplomatic interventions. It is difficult to overstate the long-term impact of this form of journalism on both policy response and national awareness.
Moreover, women journalists have made significant strides in investigative reporting—another crucial component of national security. Corruption within security agencies, sexual abuse in IDP camps, diversion of humanitarian aid, and human trafficking under the guise of interstate migration have all been exposed in reports led or co-authored by women. These revelations do more than make headlines. They prompt legislative oversight, civil society mobilization, and, occasionally, criminal prosecution. Without these interventions, impunity would flourish, and insecurity would deepen.
Globally, research has demonstrated that women bring a different lens to conflict reporting and security analysis. A UNESCO study titled “Gender Sensitive Indicators for Media” affirms that the inclusion of women in editorial and field operations leads to more balanced, inclusive, and socially responsive reporting. Conflict affects women and children disproportionately, yet narratives around national security are still overwhelmingly militarized and male-centered. Women journalists bridge this gap, reporting from IDP camps, displacement zones, hospitals, and community dialogues—spaces often deemed “less newsworthy” by traditional editorial structures but vital for understanding the full spectrum of security challenges.
In the North-East, for instance, radio journalism remains one of the most influential forms of media engagement, particularly among rural populations. Female journalists anchoring community peace programs in Hausa and Kanuri have been at the forefront of countering extremist narratives. Their programs promote tolerance, inter-ethnic dialogue, girls’ education, and reintegration of ex-combatants. These are not soft topics—they are fundamental to deradicalization and the stabilization of post-conflict communities. Yet, these efforts often operate with minimal institutional support or security coverage.
Unfortunately, the professional environment for women journalists in Nigeria is still riddled with challenges. A 2020 study by the International Federation of Journalists revealed that over 65% of female journalists in Nigeria have experienced some form of harassment—physical, verbal, or sexual—during their careers. This hostile atmosphere deters many from accepting high-risk assignments or from pursuing investigative journalism in security-related beats. Others face cultural and institutional biases that limit their career advancement, reduce their visibility, and undermine their credibility. Insecurity affects everyone, but women journalists navigate it with the additional burden of gendered threats.
One cannot overemphasize the urgency of reform. Media organizations must adopt gender-responsive safety protocols, offer targeted security training, and ensure equitable assignment of investigative roles. Government stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information and the security agencies, must treat women journalists not as peripheral observers but as critical stakeholders in information dissemination and trust-building. At a time when fake news, propaganda, and online radicalization are escalating, credible female voices in journalism can serve as powerful counterweights to divisive narratives.
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has continued to advocate for the empowerment and protection of its members. With initiatives focused on capacity building, mentorship, and policy engagement, NAWOJ has emerged as a frontline defender of media professionalism and gender equity. Its upcoming Zonal Conference scheduled for May 22, 2025, themed “Curbing Insecurity: The Role of Women Journalists in National Security,” is a testament to the growing recognition of women journalists as integral to the nation’s security discourse. But seminars and communiqués are not enough. What is needed now is structural commitment—by newsrooms, by regulatory bodies, and by the Nigerian state—to back words with action.
This commitment must also include access. Too often, security briefings are exclusionary, heavily skewed toward state media and male correspondents. Female journalists, especially those from community media or regional outlets, are denied information access, travel passes, or even physical security support. This marginalization undermines the quality of our national reportage and limits public understanding of critical issues. It is imperative that security agencies institutionalize gender inclusion in their public affairs and media engagement strategies. When women are at the table, the questions change, the focus expands, and the solutions diversify.
Equally important is the need to integrate women journalists into national security planning—not merely as mouthpieces but as active participants. Their field knowledge, community linkages, and communication skills make them valuable assets for early warning systems, peace education, and crisis response. In countries like Kenya and Colombia, women journalists have been formally engaged in community policing and reconciliation frameworks, with positive results. Nigeria must learn from these examples and localize them for its peculiar challenges.
Additionally, donor agencies, NGOs, and multilateral institutions working on governance and peacebuilding must earmark specific grants and fellowships for women in security journalism. The current funding landscape is heavily skewed toward male-dominated outlets and international correspondents. By supporting female reporters—particularly in underserved regions—these institutions can help democratize information access and strengthen the feedback loop between citizens and the state.
Ultimately, it must be acknowledged that journalism is not merely a profession in Nigeria; it is a vocation of public service, often carried out at great personal risk. For women journalists, this risk is compounded by entrenched patriarchy, workplace discrimination, and societal stigma. And yet, they continue to show up, report, write, speak, and document. They deserve not only our gratitude but our protection, our investment, and our recognition as defenders of truth and peace.
If Nigeria is to win the war against insecurity, it must stop viewing security as the exclusive domain of men in uniform and begin to adopt a whole-of-society approach. In this paradigm, women journalists are not on the periphery—they are at the heart of the solution. By ensuring that their voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their contributions are institutionalized, Nigeria can take a significant step toward building a more informed, inclusive, and secure nation.
As insecurity continues to cast its long shadow over the country, the question is not whether women journalists have a role in national security—they do. The question is whether Nigeria is ready to institutionalize and support that role in meaningful, sustainable ways. If the answer is yes, then we must act with urgency and intentionality. The future of our security may depend on it.
COMRADE EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO is the founder of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA and was NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF NIGERIA.
May 22nd 2025.