The new National Executive Council has pledged to prioritise members’ welfare, professional development and stronger support for the Nigerian Institute of Journalism

Online newspaper publisher and public relations consultant Muyiwa Akintunde has emerged National President of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism Alumni Association (NIJAA), leading a newly constituted National Executive Council expected to steer the association into its next phase of development.

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The election, announced on Sunday morning, produced a seven-member executive team comprising Akintunde as president, Isabella Adesola as Vice President, Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji as General Secretary and Chika Nnamani as Assistant Secretary.

Other members of the new council are Mark Akhuetie, National Publicity Secretary; Oluwapelumi Oluwayomi, Organising Secretary; and Adegbemi Adewale, Esq., Legal Adviser.

In his acceptance speech, Akintunde thanked members for entrusting him and the new executive with the leadership of the association, describing the outcome as a victory for NIJ graduates committed to advancing the alumni body, the institution and the journalism profession.

“This is a victory for every graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism who believes that our association, our institution and the journalism profession can attain greater heights,” he said.

Akintunde commended the Caretaker Committee, led by Matthew Idowu, for managing the affairs of NIJAA during the preceding six months.

He also praised the election subcommittee, chaired by Dr Adeboye Ola, for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible electoral process.

The new president paid tribute to immediate past president Dr Olusanya Awosan and other former leaders, acknowledging their contributions to the foundations of the association.

In a gesture aimed at promoting unity after the election, Akintunde also recognised Benjamin Oluwaseun Sanni and Ayodeji Ake, who contested the positions of National Publicity Secretary and Organising Secretary respectively.

He said their participation reflected a shared commitment to service and promised that ideas and proposals presented during the campaign would be considered by the new administration.

A three-point agenda

At the centre of the new administration’s programme is a three-point agenda focused on responsive leadership, members’ welfare and opportunities, and a stronger image for NIJ and NIJAA.

Akintunde pledged to make member participation a more prominent feature of the association’s decision-making process through town hall meetings, surveys and consultations with chapters.

He said the approach would ensure that members’ concerns and expectations remained central to the direction of the association.

On welfare and professional development, the new president promised initiatives aimed at expanding employment and career opportunities while providing training, mentorship and welfare support.

He also pledged stronger institutional support for the Nigerian Institute of Journalism through advocacy, scholarships and infrastructure development.

According to Akintunde, the administration will seek to promote the professionalism, relevance and dignity of journalists trained by the institution.

Addressing NIJAA members and chapters across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Australia and other locations, Akintunde described the chapters as the “engine of the association”.

He called for collective ownership of the new administration and urged members to move beyond the divisions that may have accompanied the election.

The new president said the focus should now shift from campaigning to delivering tangible results for members and the wider NIJ community.

“We must move NIJAA from nostalgia to impact, from reunions to results,” he said.

The emergence of the new National Executive Council therefore marks a fresh chapter for the alumni association, with member welfare, professional development, institutional support and public visibility forming key elements of its stated priorities.

The immediate test for Akintunde and his team will be translating those promises into measurable programmes and ensuring that the confidence expressed by members at the polls produces tangible benefits across the association.

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For an organisation built around graduates of a journalism institution, the coming administration will also face the task of strengthening NIJAA’s relevance in a rapidly changing media environment while maintaining a constructive relationship with the Nigerian Institute of Journalism itself.