Journalists Launch Campaign for Abuja Indigenes' Rights

Journalists Launch Campaign for Abuja Indigenes’ Rights.
NEJII to drive inclusion through training, advocacy, and community engagement.
Campaign highlights land loss, exclusion, and lack of basic services.

By Grateful Ogunjebe

A group of journalists has launched a 15-month media campaign to defend the rights of Abuja’s original inhabitants.

The initiative, backed by the MacArthur Foundation through the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), aims to raise awareness of the ongoing marginalisation of ethnic groups such as the Gbagyi, Gwandara, Dibo, Gade, Ebira, Ganagana, Koro, and Nupe.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the campaign is spearheaded by the Network of Journalists on Indigenous Issues (NEJII).

In a statement on Saturday, NEJII announced that the media project will promote inclusion, visibility, and fair treatment for Abuja’s native communities.

The statement was signed by NEJII National Coordinator, Adewale Adeoye, and Programme Officer, Ologeh Joseph Chibuzor.

They said the project would involve journalist training, civic dialogue, media advocacy, and policy engagement.

“Original inhabitants of Abuja have suffered in silence,” the statement said.

“Their voices haven’t been heard enough. This campaign will change that.”

Planned activities include journalist workshops in Abuja and Lagos, the production of advocacy materials, and field visits to indigenous communities for storytelling.

NEJII said the project aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under international conventions, including ILO Convention 169, which protects indigenous rights.

The group added that Abuja’s native populations face land loss, insecurity, political exclusion, and lack of access to public services.

It stressed that the media must play a central role in correcting these injustices.

“This is a call to action for journalists and policymakers,” Adeoye said.