NUJ Amends Constitution, Approves B.Sc, HND As Minimum Qualification For Journalism Practice

ABUJA – Rising from its Special Delegates’ Conference session held in Kano state, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has resolved that HND or B.Sc in Mass Communication, Journalism or related communication field to be the minimum qualification to join the practice of journalism in Nigeria.

The special delegate session was presided over by the National President of the union, Chief Chris Isiguzo, at Afficient event centre in Kano, Kano State.

The union equally withdrawn membership of members of staff of State Ministries of Information, adjudged as non-practicing journalists.

The withdrawal of membership affects staff members of each Ministry of Information, who are not in the field of journalism.

According to a source close to one of the delegates from a South West state, those affected are the information officers who are the spokesperson of their ministries or agencies.

He explained that those performing the functions of Public relations officers or press officers should not be plying their trade in journalism.

He, hinted that the Congress agreed that membership of State Ministry of Information had stopped conferring automatic membership of NUJ on the staff.

The source noted that the practice had conferred in the past undue advantages on the staff of states ministry of Information in the affairs of the union which had caused crisis in many states.

The delegates in session also gave approval that National Orientation Agency, (NOA) staff should no longer be accorded NUJ membership.

The delegates however, noted that NOA elected officials would be allowed to serve out their term of office.

Delegates in session also concurred that Local Government Press Officers should no longer be handed NUJ membership status.