The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has appointed the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, as Nigeria’s Focal Point for the project, “Monitoring and Reporting on the Safety of Journalists in Africa, with a Specific Focus on Gender.”
The appointment positions Odumosu to coordinate national efforts aimed at monitoring, documenting and facilitating responses to threats, harassment and attacks against women journalists in Nigeria, while strengthening collaboration among government institutions, media organisations, civil society groups and security agencies.
According to a statement signed by the FCT Command Public Relations Officer, DSC Monica Ojobi, on Thursday, the appointment followed Odumosu’s participation in a three-day regional training workshop held in Entebbe, Uganda, in November 2025.
The workshop brought together 30 participants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, including journalists, civil society representatives, law enforcement officers and legal experts from the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU). Participants reviewed an online observatory designed to monitor and track attacks against women journalists across Africa and proposed measures to improve its effectiveness and coordination among stakeholders.
The statement explained that the training was organised by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) and funded by the Government of the Netherlands through UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).
It formed part of the second phase of the project titled, “Applying Modern Technologies to Enhance Mechanisms for Monitoring and Reporting Attacks Against Women Journalists in Africa.”
According to UNESCO’s nomination and appointment letter, Odumosu will receive and review reports of threats, harassment and attacks against women journalists in Nigeria and facilitate appropriate follow-up through designated national mechanisms
His role will also involve ensuring that reported cases are promptly addressed through relevant security agencies, while serving as the national coordinating link between UNESCO, government agencies, media organisations, civil society organisations and security institutions on issues relating to the safety of journalists.
The statement noted that the appointment will further strengthen Nigeria’s compliance with international standards on freedom of expression and the protection of media professionals.
Reacting to the appointment, Odumosu expressed appreciation to the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for approving his participation in the initiative and thanked UNESCO’s Regional Office for Eastern Africa in Nairobi for the confidence reposed in him.
“I want to appreciate my amiable CG for giving me the approval to undertake this noble task and the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa in Nairobi for the appointment, and I shall do my best to justify this call to service,” he said.
Describing the appointment as both an honour and a call to duty, Odumosu stressed the importance of protecting journalists, particularly women, whom he described as being more vulnerable to attacks.
“Journalism is a noble profession, practised by noble men and women, and I am confident that my engagement will enhance the project’s effectiveness in Nigeria and further reinforce collaboration among key institutions dedicated to the safety of women journalists across Africa,” he added.
He pledged to work closely with the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders to promote the safety and protection of female journalists in Nigeria and across the continent.
