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The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has mobilised 40 members to participate in a seminar organised by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Women Commission to promote gender equality in sports media.
The two-day seminar, scheduled for October 26 and 27 in Abuja, will focus on the media’s role in improving the visibility of female athletes, challenging gender stereotypes and encouraging women’s participation in sports.
SWAN Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
According to Okonkwo, SWAN President Isaiah Kemje Benjamin welcomed the initiative and called for stronger, sustained engagement between sports institutions and the association’s leadership at national and state levels.
Benjamin, who is expected to serve as a resource person at the seminar, urged sports institutions, federations, commissions and other stakeholders to establish structured partnerships with SWAN rather than rely on occasional invitations.
He said sustained collaboration would strengthen communication, broaden participation and improve sports coverage across Nigeria.
Benjamin also highlighted SWAN’s nationwide presence, noting that the association provides a platform for reporting sporting developments, holding administrators accountable and amplifying athletes’ achievements across different disciplines.
Seminar To Promote Gender Equality In Sports Reporting
The seminar aims to equip sports journalists with the knowledge and skills to improve the representation of women and girls in sports reporting.
The programme will also examine ways to ensure that female athletes and sports administrators receive appropriate media attention.
The NOC Women Commission recognises the media’s influence in shaping public perceptions, determining which sporting activities receive attention and contributing to the growth of women’s sports.
Through responsible and inclusive reporting, journalists can highlight female athletes’ achievements, examine the challenges they face and encourage greater participation by women and girls.
The seminar is expected to provide a platform for participants to discuss practical approaches to creating a more equitable sports media environment.
NOC Women Commission Advances Inclusion In Sports
The NOC Women Commission is a statutory commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee established in line with the International Olympic Committee’s mandate to promote gender equality and inclusion in sports.
Its activities include encouraging greater participation and leadership opportunities for women and girls as athletes, coaches, technical officials and sports administrators.
The commission also promotes safe-sport practices and gender-sensitive policies designed to reduce discrimination and other barriers to participation.
Its capacity-building programmes have included initiatives for female coaches, sports administrators and technical officials across Nigeria.
Journalists Urged To Improve Visibility Of Female Athletes
The October seminar places particular emphasis on sports journalists because of their influence over which athletes, competitions and issues receive public attention.
Gender-sensitive reporting can help address the underrepresentation of female athletes and ensure their performances receive recognition alongside those of male athletes.
Beyond reporting competition results, journalists can investigate the policies, facilities, funding and institutional support available to women and girls in sports.
The programme is expected to encourage participants to challenge stereotypes, promote fairness and deliver more balanced coverage across sporting disciplines.
SWAN Reaffirms Commitment To Professional Development
SWAN’s mobilisation of 40 members highlights its commitment to professional development and collaboration with institutions seeking to improve sports administration and participation in Nigeria.
The NOC Women Commission formally notified the association about the seminar and requested its support in mobilising participants and publicising the programme.
SWAN said stronger cooperation between sports institutions and journalists would improve the quality and reach of sports reporting while promoting inclusion across the sector.
The seminar is expected to bring together sports journalists and other stakeholders to discuss practical ways the media can advance gender equality and support the development of women’s sports in Nigeria.
