The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Right Honourable Aliyu Mukhtar Betara, has officially pledged to spearhead the construction of a befitting National Secretariat for the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ). Speaking during a high-profile consultative engagement in Abuja on Friday, April 17, 2026, the lawmaker emphasized that the contribution of women journalists to the nation’s democratic stability and social development necessitates a permanent and functional institutional base. Betara noted that the lack of a dedicated secretariat has hindered the administrative efficiency of the association for decades, and he committed to mobilizing the necessary resources to ensure the project moves from the drawing board to completion within record time.
The pledge comes as a significant boost to the leadership of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, which recently secured a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for a plot of land in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Beyond infrastructure, Aliyu Mukhtar Betara also used the platform to announce his formal endorsement of the Women in Security (WINSEC) 2026 conference, a flagship initiative aimed at addressing the role of women in national defense and community policing. He argued that the intersection of media and security is a critical frontier for Nigeria, and supporting women professionals in these sectors is essential for achieving the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Betara highlighted that his support for both projects is a reflection of his long-standing commitment to gender empowerment and professional excellence.
Stakeholder reactions to the twin announcement have been overwhelmingly positive, with the National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim, describing the lawmaker’s gesture as a “landmark turning point” for the association. She noted that a permanent secretariat would serve as a hub for training, research, and the protection of the rights of female media practitioners across the 36 states. Similarly, the organizers of the WINSEC 2026 conference have lauded the endorsement, stating that the backing of the Appropriations Committee Chairman provides the necessary political weight to attract high-level participants from across Africa. They emphasized that Betara’s involvement signals a growing recognition of the strategic importance of women’s contributions to the security architecture of the federation.
Political and social analysts suggest that Aliyu Mukhtar Betara’s proactive engagement with professional groups is a strategic masterstroke in “parliamentary diplomacy.” Experts argue that by identifying with the media and security sectors, the lawmaker is building a broad-based coalition of influence that transcends traditional legislative duties. Dr. Chidi Amuta, a development analyst, observed that the construction of a media secretariat by a sitting lawmaker is a rare example of “tangible support” for the Fourth Estate of the Realm. He suggested that if the pledge is fulfilled, it will set a new standard for how public officials interact with civil society and professional bodies. Analysts maintain that the focus must now remain on the “transparency of the funding” and the “timeline for the groundbreaking ceremony.”
The broader implications of these developments point toward a more institutionalized and empowered environment for women professionals in Nigeria. By providing a home for the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists and backing the WINSEC 2026 initiative, the government and legislature are collectively addressing the “gender gap” in two of the nation’s most critical sectors. The secretariat project is expected to create jobs during the construction phase and provide a lasting legacy for the current leadership of the association. As the plans for the building are finalized, the focus remains on the collaboration between the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and its affiliate bodies to ensure the facility is utilized effectively. For the average woman journalist, Betara’s pledge is a promise of dignity and a more secure professional future.
