Chris Isiguzo, the NUJ President We Knew: A Response to Haruna Mohammed By Umar Farouk Bala
A recent article published by WikkiTimes, titled “How the NUJ Under Alhassan Yahaya Can Avoid the Toxic Legacies of Chris Isiguzo” and authored by Mr. Haruna Mohammed Salisu on Sunday, May 25, 2025, attempts—rather brazenly—to malign the legacy of the immediate past President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr. Chris Isiguzo.
Regrettably, the piece drips with bitterness and is shaped more by conjecture than fact. Mr. Salisu, publisher of WikkiTimes, constructs a highly skewed narrative of a man whose leadership redefined and elevated Nigerian journalism, both nationally and globally.
As one of the fortunate participants of the inaugural PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship in 2024, I had the rare privilege of engaging with Dr. Isiguzo, who graced our session as Special Guest of Honour. His presence was not ceremonial—he came as a mentor, speaking with sincerity and clarity about the values that sustain credible journalism.
“The real journalist is the trained journalist,” he declared. He challenged us to uphold integrity, adapt to the digital era, and lead the charge against misinformation. For many of us in that hall, his words were not just a keynote address—they were a call to action. A compass.
When Dr. Isiguzo assumed the presidency of the NUJ, the union stood at a crossroads. He steered it toward renewal—prioritizing training, reform, partnerships, and professional development that repositioned the Nigerian journalist in both local and global spheres.
He didn’t just lead the NUJ. He rose to become President of the Congress of African Journalists and Chairperson of the Belt and Road News Network Forum—accolades earned through merit, not manipulation. These are not the credentials of a “compromised” figure but the achievements of a respected continental thought leader.
The accusation that Dr. Isiguzo undermined press freedom is not only unfounded but intellectually dishonest. This is the same leader who vocally opposed the draconian Social Media Bill in 2020 and condemned the abuse of the Cybercrime Act. He consistently stood firm for press freedom when it faced its gravest threats.
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Under his leadership, the NUJ forged critical partnerships with INEC, civil society groups, and international stakeholders. Over 2,000 journalists received training ahead of the 2023 general elections. He didn’t merely issue statements—he built capacity, advanced journalists’ rights, and prioritized welfare.
Some critics point to the NUJ’s conferment of awards on politicians during his tenure. But reducing such recognitions to mere sycophancy is a simplistic reading of their strategic intent. These platforms enabled subtle advocacy, engagement with power, and public reminders of leadership responsibilities. To interpret them only through a cynical lens is to miss their broader purpose.
It is important to emphasize that the NUJ is a democratic institution. Its decisions—whether on policy, programs, or recognitions—emerge through collective deliberation across its federated structures. To lay every institutional decision at Dr. Isiguzo’s feet is both inaccurate and unfair.
Perhaps his most enduring contribution lies in his unwavering commitment to journalists’ welfare. During his tenure, salary arrears were addressed, capacity-building initiatives increased, and journalists’ safety received unprecedented attention. He laid the groundwork for the Journalists Enhancement Bill and strengthened inter-union solidarity still felt today.
His farewell address in November 2024 was a statesman’s parting gift—calling for unity, democratic values, and journalism as a pillar of national accountability.
It’s easy to hurl criticisms from the comfort of the sidelines. It’s much harder to lead a union in a polarized political climate, stay true to principle, and leave behind a legacy that inspires the next generation. That is precisely what Dr. Chris Isiguzo did.
No administration is perfect. But his was purposeful, reform-driven, and future-oriented.
As a young journalist shaped by his leadership, I am living testimony to his impact. He taught us that journalism is not propaganda—it is public service. Not an echo chamber for power—but a mirror to it.
To those who now seek to rewrite his legacy with innuendo and hostility, know this: history will not be kind. Because history will remember Dr. Chris Isiguzo not as a failure—but as a reformer, a bridge-builder, and a visionary who dared to lift Nigerian journalism beyond mediocrity.
Umar Farouk Bala is a corps member serving at PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. He can be reached at [email protected].
