In a move aimed at strengthening the protection of women journalists in Nigeria, 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 its continental project on monitoring and reporting attacks against journalists.
The appointment makes Odumosu the national coordinator for UNESCO's initiative, "Monitoring and Reporting on the Safety of Journalists in Africa, with a Specific Focus on Gender," placing him at the forefront of efforts to improve the reporting, documentation and response to threats, harassment and violence targeting women journalists.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the NSCDC FCT Command's Public Relations Officer, DSC Monica Ojobi, the appointment followed Odumosu's participation in a UNESCO-backed regional capacity-building workshop held in Entebbe, Uganda, in November 2025.
The three-day workshop assembled 30 participants from Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia, including journalists, security personnel, civil society organisations and legal experts from the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU). Participants reviewed a digital observatory developed to track attacks on women journalists across Africa and explored ways to strengthen collaboration among governments, media organisations and rights groups.
The training formed part of the second phase of the UNESCO-supported project, "Applying Modern Technologies to Enhance Mechanisms for Monitoring and Reporting Attacks Against Women Journalists in Africa." It was organised by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) with funding from the Government of the Netherlands through UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).
Under the appointment, Odumosu will coordinate the receipt, verification and review of reports relating to threats, harassment and attacks against women journalists in Nigeria. He will also facilitate timely responses through relevant security and institutional channels while serving as the principal link between UNESCO, government agencies, media organisations, civil society groups and security institutions on matters concerning journalists' safety.
UNESCO noted that the initiative is designed to reinforce accountability mechanisms, improve the protection of media professionals and support member states in upholding international standards on freedom of expression and press freedom.
Reacting to the appointment, Odumosu described it as both a privilege and a solemn responsibility, expressing gratitude to the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for approving his participation in the regional programme.
"I appreciate the Commandant General for giving me the opportunity to participate in this important initiative and UNESCO's Regional Office for Eastern Africa in Nairobi for the confidence reposed in me. I will do everything within my capacity to justify this responsibility," he said.
The FCT Commandant stressed that journalists play a vital role in democratic governance and public accountability, adding that women journalists often face heightened risks because of the nature of their work.
He pledged to work closely with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), civil society organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen protection mechanisms for female journalists and deepen collaboration in promoting a safer environment for media professionals across Nigeria.