Sports

FG Sets Up Committee On Review of National Youth Policy

Published

3 years ago

July 26, 2023

In line with the timeline for the review of the National Youth Policy (NYP), the Federal Government has inaugurated a 27-man Committee to immediately commence work on the 2019-2023 National Youth Policy.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar while inaugurating the Committee on Wednesday in his office in Abuja, stated that the aim of setting up the Review Team by government was to ensure that the Ministry has a befitting Policy Document that will serve as a guide for the development of the nation’s teeming youth.

According to him, “The National Youth Policy, like other government policies, is the handbook of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development’s guide on youth development as it represents the declaration of the Nigerian Government to the practical support it intends to give to its youth.”

He stated further that the 2019-2023 Edition of the National Youth Policy is in the last lap of its journey, especially as the policy itself stipulates a 5-year periodic review, hence the need for the commencement of this process.

Alhaji Ismaila informed that part of the successes recorded in the implementation of the 2019-2023 Edition of the NYP by the Federal Government includesYouth inclusion, participation, and access to information, which enables them to know their rights.

The Ministry, in partnership with the Civil Society Organizations, Private Sector and International Agencies, he said, has through enlightenment and publicity, taken National Youth Policy to the grassroots.
He added that various programmes and projects were also implemented across the six geo-political zones in line with the policy thrust of government.

Ismaila explained that the periodic review of the NYP guidelines has become imperative, particularly due to the dynamic nature of human endeavour, which he emphasised is not static. “It is the dynamic nature that has prompted the review of the guidelines in human activities in order to get better results”, he added.

The Permanent Secretary observed that, there have been a lot of changes in the perception and actions of Nigerian youth towards government policies in the last five years, especially in this era of Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Besides, he said, “the age range of youth (15-29) in the current Edition of the NYP has generated a lot of debate and controversy, as it appears to fall short of Nigeria cum Africa youth age reality; thus the justification for the review to address the current situation.”

The Permanent Secretary noted that it is in view of these that the government approved the commencement of the review process with the formation and inauguration of the Committee, which is expected to work from now to February 2024.

While charging the Committee to bring their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring that they produce a one stop shop Policy Document for implementation by government, he stated that other terms of reference for the Team is to amongst others; oversee the entire review process of the National Youth Policy 2024-2027 until its launching; ensure integration of youth concerns from each geo-political zone into the final policy document;ensure that the new policy is in tune with global trends;supervise the various consultations with stakeholders during the review process; as well as bring up anyother activity that will add value to the process.

Alhaji Ismaila commended all relevant stakeholders for their support in ensuring the success of previous reviews as well as implementation of the editions.

The Permanent Secretary therefore called on development partners and other relevant stakeholders to put all hands on deck, work assiduously and note “that it is our collective responsibility to continue to ensure youth issues are mainstreamed into National Agenda”.

He assured that the Ministry will not only continue to maintain open doors to partnerships and collaborations but also repose confidence on the ability of the team to live up to its task of producing a new Policy for Nigerian Youth in line with the policy thrust of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee and Director, Education and Youth Development EYD), in the Ministry, Alhaji Kabiru Mohammed assured that the Committee will work tirelessly and also bring their wealth of experience to bear with a view to providing Nigeria with the best policy document in recent times for our teeming youth in line with global best practices.

He thanked the Federal Government for giving them the opportunity to serve in this capacity.

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Sports

SWAN President Calls for Gender-Fair Reporting in Sports Journalism

Published

9 hours ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, has urged sports journalists to eliminate gender stereotypes and bias in their reports to promote fairness, inclusion and greater visibility for women in sports.

Benjamin made the call on Monday in Abuja while delivering a presentation titled “Gender-Sensitive Journalism: Removing Gender Stereotypes and Bias in Sports Reporting” at the Annual Women in Sports Leadership Training/Seminar for Journalists, organised by the Women Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

He said sports journalists play a critical role in shaping public opinion, influencing athletes’ visibility and determining which achievements receive recognition, sponsorship and investment.

According to him, the way the media reports women in sports can either reinforce existing barriers or help dismantle them.

Benjamin explained that gender-sensitive journalism requires fairness, accuracy, equality and inclusion, stressing that it does not mean giving female athletes favourable coverage or shielding them from legitimate criticism.

He identified common forms of bias in sports reporting, including giving men’s competitions greater prominence, focusing on female athletes’ appearance rather than performance, defining women by their marital or family status, and questioning their competence in leadership positions.

The SWAN president urged journalists to adopt respectful language, apply consistent professional standards and extend coverage beyond national teams to domestic leagues, grassroots competitions, female coaches, referees and sports administrators.

Using Nigeria’s sporting landscape as an example, he said the achievements of the Super Falcons deserved sustained analysis beyond match results, including discussions on investment, player development, professional leagues and grassroots structures.

He also noted that digital platforms offered opportunities to expand coverage of women’s sports but warned journalists against sensationalism, online harassment and sexist commentary.

Benjamin proposed seven measures, including gender-sensitive editorial guidelines, regular coverage audits, diversified sources, professional development, stronger grassroots reporting and measurable progress.

He called on SWAN to collaborate with the NOC, sports federations, leagues and clubs to improve access to information and strengthen women’s visibility in sports.

He urged journalists to ensure that athletes are judged by their performances and achievements rather than gender stereotypes.

“Gender-sensitive journalism must be fair, not favourable,” he said, emphasising that responsibility for change rests with reporters, editors, broadcasters, photographers and digital publishers.

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