They are the watchdogs of society, the voices of the people, the chroniclers of truth. Yet, beneath the bylines and camera flashes, Nigerian journalists are silently battling a harsh and unforgiving reality one where their sacrifices are overlooked, their welfare neglected, and their lives left in the shadows of the very stories they tell.
From underpaid salaries to a complete lack of insurance and welfare, many journalists across Nigeria live on the fringes of poverty. The irony is painful, the same profession tasked with holding power to account cannot secure basic dignity for its practitioners.
Life On The Margins
It is not uncommon to find a Nigerian journalist who, after 10 or even 20 years in the profession, still has no home, no health insurance, no pension, and no savings to fall back on. Many depend on stipends as low as ₦10,000 or ₦20,000 handed out as “brown envelopes” at press events, a practice that not only demeans the profession but also compromises journalistic ethics.
“I’ve been in this job for over 15 years,” says Olamilekan, a veteran reporter in Abuja who requested anonymity. “I still live in a rented room, I have no car, and when I fell sick last year, my colleagues had to contribute money for my surgery. It’s like we are only useful when we carry the microphone. When we drop it, we are forgotten.”
No Insurance, No Support
Unlike in many other countries where media houses provide health coverage, risk allowances, or life insurance, most Nigerian journalists especially those working in smaller or state owned outlets operate without any form of safety net.
Reporters assigned to conflict zones, political rallies, or dangerous investigations do so at great personal risk. Some have been beaten, abducted, or even killed in the line of duty. Yet, their families often receive no compensation, no support not even a public acknowledgment.
“Who takes care of a journalist’s family when they die? Nobody,” laments Chinyere, a broadcast journalist in Lagos. “We report other people’s deaths with empathy, but when we fall, it’s silence.”
The Culture of Neglect
Part of the problem lies within the media industry itself. Many media houses battling financial constraints, dwindling advertising revenues, and poor management are unable or unwilling to pay competitive salaries. Entry level reporters in some states earn as little as ₦50,000 – ₦80,000 monthly, barely enough to survive, let alone thrive.
Meanwhile, those at the top editors, media owners, and political stakeholders often turn a blind eye to the suffering of field reporters, perpetuating a culture of neglect and silence.
“Nigerian journalists are hungry because the system is designed to keep them that way,” says Dr. Martins, a media analyst. “If a journalist is poor, they are easier to control. They won’t ask hard questions if they are waiting for brown envelopes to feed their family.”
Why The Silence?
One of the most painful realities is that the people journalists cover politicians, celebrities, business leaders rarely give back. While some are generous to the journalists they know personally, the larger body of media professionals remains largely unsupported.
Events are organized with massive budgets, yet only token amounts sometimes ₦10,000 or ₦20,000 are set aside as “honorariums” for journalists. These are not formal payments but informal “transport fare” offerings, further degrading the profession.
“Why should the people we promote not care about our welfare?” asks Halima, a reporter in Kaduna. “We make them popular, but they don’t even remember us when we are sick or suffering.”
The Way Forward
Experts and stakeholders say the media industry must first look inward. There is a dire need for union reform, stronger journalist associations, and collective bargaining power to fight for better pay, insurance, and legal protections.
Government intervention is also essential. Journalism is a pillar of democracy, and those who keep it alive should not die in silence. Just as there are welfare schemes for other professions doctors, judiciary, police officers, teachers, journalists too deserve structured support.
Above all, there must be a cultural shift. Respect for journalists should not end at the newsroom. Their humanity must matter as much as their headlines.
Conclusion
The Nigerian journalist is more than just a storyteller. They are parents, citizens, and patriots. They risk everything to bring truth to light, yet receive little in return. Until the nation begins to care for its journalists not just the news they bring but the very foundation of free speech and democracy remains at risk.
Because when the storyteller dies in silence, who will tell their story?