The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has called on journalists to strengthen ethical and child-sensitive reporting as part of efforts to address the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.
The Council made the call at a workshop in Abuja organised in collaboration with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), which brought together journalists, diplomats, and development partners.
Representing the NUJ FCT Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike, the Council Treasurer, Comrade Sandra Chukwugekwu, said the media has a critical responsibility in shaping public understanding of child protection issues and influencing policy responses.
“The media has a central role to play in addressing this crisis,” she said. “As journalists, we shape public awareness, influence policy debates, and hold institutions accountable.”
She warned against sensational reporting, urging journalists to adopt child-sensitive practices that protect identities and uphold dignity.
“We can help prevent recruitment by telling accurate, sensitive stories that highlight root causes such as poverty, lack of education, family breakdown, and social marginalisation,” she added.
Comrade Chukwugekwu also stressed the need for collaboration between government agencies, security institutions, civil society, and the media in preventing child recruitment and supporting rehabilitation efforts.
“Preventing the recruitment and use of children requires coordinated action across sectors,” she said.
Speaking at the workshop, Country Representative of the Dallaire Institute, Mrs Offiong Nsa, said journalists are key partners in exposing child recruitment networks and shifting narratives around children affected by armed conflict.
“You are not merely chroniclers of conflict. You are powerful human rights advocates,” she said. “Through ethical, child-centred reporting, you can expose recruitment networks and shift the narrative from perpetrators to vulnerable victims.”
She added that the training would equip journalists with trauma-informed tools to report safely and responsibly on sensitive cases involving children.
Also speaking, the Africa Programme Director of Journalists for Human Rights, Mr Mustapha Dumbuya, said the organisation works across several African countries to promote human rights through media development.
He explained that the training was designed to strengthen journalists’ capacity in ethical reporting, safety in conflict environments, and responsible use of digital platforms.
“We believe media is a critical entry point for advancing human rights and holding duty-bearers accountable,” he said.
Representing the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Counsellor (Political) Mr Omar Alihashi, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to the protection of children affected by armed conflict.
He said Canada supports international efforts aligned with the Vancouver Principles, which focus on preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
“Journalists play a particularly important role through accurate, ethical and responsible reporting,” he said. “This workshop reflects our shared commitment to prevention, partnership and knowledge sharing.”
The workshop organisers said the training will continue over several days, focusing on child-centred reporting, trauma-informed journalism, digital ethics, and gender-sensitive approaches to conflict reporting.