Akodu Emerges NUJ Lagos Chairman, Pledges Inclusive Welfare-Focused Leadership
Lagos, Nov. 9, 2026, Mr Adewale Akodu has emerged Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, and pledged inclusive and welfare-focused leadership for members across Lagos State.
Akodu won the council election with 416 votes, defeating his opponent who scored 27 votes, while other positions were contested unopposed by members of council in the poll held on Monday, November 9, 2026, at NUJ Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos,
Philip Nwosu returned as Vice Chairman, Olayide Awosanya emerged Secretary, Gboyega Oni Assistant Secretary, Adeola Akindele Treasurer and Oluwakemi Ishola Financial Secretary to serve Lagos journalists for three years.
In his acceptance speech, Akodu expressed profound gratitude and humility for the mandate, describing victory as collective achievement of members of Lagos Council and shared aspirations of journalists.
He assured inclusive and welfare-focused leadership that would carry all chapels and members along in decisions, programmes and activities of the council throughout his tenure.
According to him, victory reflected collective aspirations, shared values and determination of members to build stronger, more responsive and inclusive union for journalists across Lagos State.
Akodu reaffirmed commitment, alongside other Executive Council members, to remain faithful to 10-point agenda upon which they anchored their campaign for welfare, professionalism and unity.
He said that professionalism and capacity building would form pillars of administration, while welfare, security and professional interests remained at heart of its decisions and actions.
He pledged practical programmes to improve journalists’ welfare, promote continuous professional development, strengthen ethical journalism and equip members with skills required to remain relevant in media in Lagos and Nigeria.
He also pledged to equip members for increasingly competitive and technology-driven media environment through training, mentorship and exposure to modern tools for journalists.
The election was conducted in presence of the Deputy National President of NUJ, Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Olatunbosun Ogunbanwo, and other dignitaries at NUJ Secretariat.
Those who witnessed the election, alongside NUJ elders, leaders, delegates and journalists from across Lagos State.
Former national presidents of NAWOJ, Mrs Toro Oladapo and Hajia Hadizah Ifeanyiwa Omowole, also attended the election to show solidarity with Lagos journalists.
Vice Chairman, Zone B, Mrs Ronke Samo, Vice President, NAWOJ Zone B, Mrs Adebola Adekunle, and NAWOJ Lagos Chairman, Jumoke Johnson, attended the election at NUJ Secretariat Ikeja on Monday.
Immediate past Chairman, Comrade Adeleye Ajayi, immediate past Secretary, Comrade Tunde Olalere, and other past executive members also witnessed the poll.
All South-West Zone Chairmen and Secretaries attended the election, underscoring unity, solidarity and shared commitment to growth of journalism in region.
Observers described the election as peaceful, transparent and orderly, with delegates conducting themselves responsibly throughout the accreditation, voting and counting processes at NUJ Secretariat.
Members expressed hope that new executive would strengthened chapels, defend press freedom, improve welfare and deepen unity among journalists in Lagos State.
Akodu urged members to support the executive, participate in council activities and uphold ethics, professionalism and unity for progress of the union.
The new executive is expected to unveil its 10-point agenda implementation plan soon, beginning a new chapter for NUJ Lagos State Council and members.
