By Mariam Alabi
Female journalists and media leaders gathered in Lagos on 24 March for a break from the relentless pace of newsroom work, as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) hosted a Journalists Timeout – ReportWomen! edition at its premises.
The event, convened in commemoration of Women’s Month, created a space for reflection, relaxation and open conversation among participants drawn from newsrooms across the country. Participants engaged in informal interactions, games, networking sessions and candid discussions that many said they would not ordinarily have time for in their daily routines.
For many, the day offered an uncommon opportunity to step away from deadlines and professional pressures to connect, unwind and share lived experiences.
Speaking at the opening session, the Programmes Officer at WSCIJ, Mariam Alo, who represented the Centre’s Executive Director and CEO, Motunrayo Alaka, underscored the significance of creating intentional spaces for journalists to pause and reconnect.
She said the women-focused edition of the Journalists Timeout was designed to help participants engage experienced media professionals, ask critical career questions and build supportive professional networks away from newsroom pressures.
Veterans urge adaptability, mentorship and ethical resilience
A major highlight of the event was an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session that featured seasoned media professionals who shared insights on career development, leadership and navigating the evolving realities of journalism.
Veterans including Bimbo Oloyede, Executive Director of Strictly Speaking; Stella Din-Jacob, Executive Director of Mustel Creative Works Limited; Joke Kujenya, Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of JK News Media Online; Siju Alabi, Convener of Think Nigeria Show; Anikeade Funke-Treasure, Executive Director of Illuminate Nigeria; and Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, urged participants to remain adaptable and continuously develop relevant skills.
They advised journalists to explore opportunities beyond traditional newsroom roles while maintaining professional integrity, stressing the importance of building complementary competencies that support both career advancement and financial stability.
The speakers also emphasised mentorship and intentional relationship-building as critical tools for sustaining growth in the profession, particularly for younger journalists.
Participants were encouraged to embrace creativity, remain open to change and take calculated risks in expanding their career trajectories.
Ms Funke-Treasure captured the tone of the session with a reflective remark, noting that professionals must continuously improve themselves. “You are like an app; you need to continually update yourself,” she said. Another reflection noted: “If you get to the top and you are lonely, it is because you did not take people along.”
Beyond career reflections, discussions also focused on newsroom standards, with participants highlighting the need to uphold accuracy, ethical reporting and discipline, even when faced with institutional or editorial pressures.
The conversations reinforced the importance of resilience and consistency in navigating an industry undergoing rapid transformation, while also stressing the need for journalists to remain relevant through continuous learning and skill diversification.
Participants further called for greater documentation and visibility of women’s contributions to journalism, noting the importance of preserving their experiences and amplifying their stories for future generations.
Building support systems for women in journalism
Through initiatives like the journalists timeout, WSCIJ said it continues to provide platforms that support journalists not only professionally but also emotionally, recognising the pressures inherent in the craft.
It added that the event, which brought together fellows of the Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP), female Soyinka Laureates and newsroom leaders, formed part of its broader efforts to strengthen the capacity, confidence and leadership pathways of women in journalism.
DevReporting observed the excitement on participants’ faces, with many saying the 24 March gathering will remain memorable not just for the conversations it sparked, but for the rare opportunity it provided to relax, share experiences, play games and build meaningful connections in an otherwise demanding profession.
