By Amaechi Agbo
In Kaduna State, on Friday, August 28, delegates of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) gathered for the 2026 National Triennial Delegates Congress, attention was inevitably turned to the stewardship of the National President Isaiah Kemje Benjamin, who was re-elected for nother three-year term.
Benjamin, a journalist with Leadership Newspapers, took charge of the association in 2023 at a time when internal disagreements, chapter disputes and questions over unity required urgent attention.
Three years later, he went before delegates with his record in office as the main argument for continuity.
His administration points to progress in reconciliation, membership administration, chapter elections, international partnerships, journalists’ welfare and SWAN’s relationship with major sporting and diplomatic institutions.
Tackling internal divisions
One of the immediate tasks before Benjamin after assuming office was restoring stability in chapters affected by disagreements.
The Federal Capital Territory was among the most sensitive cases inherited by his administration. The national leadership engaged the different interests in the chapter and eventually helped create the conditions for a peaceful election.
Similar interventions were made in other chapters, with caretaker committees established where necessary to restore order and prepare the ground for elections.
Rather than allow disagreements to linger indefinitely, the administration relied on dialogue and SWAN’s constitutional structures to address disputes.
Chapter elections were also facilitated in several states, while greater attention was paid to compliance with membership and electoral requirements.
The association now has more than 30 recognised state chapters, with the administration also reporting an increase in membership across the country.
For Benjamin, who has consistently spoken about the need for sports journalists to have a strong collective voice, rebuilding the association internally was necessary before seeking greater recognition outside it.
Opening doors for Nigerian sports journalists
Perhaps one of the most practical gains of the past three years has been SWAN’s improved relationship with international sporting organisations and diplomatic missions.
The administration established a working relationship with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), providing SWAN with another channel through which difficulties encountered by Nigerian journalists covering continental competitions could be addressed.
The relationship proved useful in matters involving media accreditation, visas and other logistical challenges for journalists travelling for major CAF competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations and Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
There was a similar intervention before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Through SWAN’s relationship with the Embassy of France in Nigeria, more than 15 members travelling to France to cover the Olympics were assisted with their visa applications. According to the association, the visas were issued about three days after biometric enrolment.
For journalists accustomed to the uncertainty that can accompany international assignments, the intervention provided direct professional value.
The Benjamin administration has consequently sought closer engagement with diplomatic missions and international institutions as part of efforts to make it easier for Nigerian sports journalists to carry out assignments outside the country.
SWAN’s relationship with the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) was also strengthened, with Nigeria maintaining representation at scheduled international engagements.
Membership and administration
Away from international engagements, Benjamin’s administration has attempted to improve how SWAN operates internally.
A comprehensive digital membership database was established, while the production and distribution of membership cards received greater attention.
The National Secretariat in Abuja was maintained and its documentation and records-management processes strengthened.
The administration also says salaries and approved stipends for secretariat staff were paid regularly, while plans were initiated towards securing land for the construction of a permanent national secretariat.
A permanent headquarters remains an unfinished objective, but its inclusion in the administration’s programme underlines a desire to provide SWAN with an institutional base of its own.
Kano, SWAN at 60 and national participation
The administration’s ability to bring state chapters together was tested through major national programmes.
The 2024 Full Council Meeting was successfully held in Kano, bringing the association’s leadership and chapters together to deliberate on issues affecting SWAN and sports journalism.
Where physical meetings were not immediately possible, emergency Full Council sessions were held virtually.
Another major event came in October 2025 when SWAN marked its 60th anniversary.
Beyond celebrating six decades of the association, the programme also provided the platform for the 2025 Full Council Meeting, attended by chairmen and secretaries from virtually all state chapters.
The anniversary gave SWAN an opportunity to examine its history and recognise individuals who had contributed to sports journalism while also drawing attention to questions about the profession’s future.
Greater visibility and stakeholder engagement
Benjamin’s administration also invested in SWAN’s communication channels, particularly its website and social media platforms.
The objective was to improve the flow of information from the national body to members and give the association a stronger public presence.
That effort has gone alongside closer engagement with government institutions, sports federations, corporate organisations, CAF, AIPS and diplomatic missions.
Benjamin’s advocacy during the period has centred on the welfare, professional development and recognition of sports journalists.
He has also used his position to call for sports writers to be given appropriate access and consideration when covering major events, while maintaining that sports journalism must contribute to accountability and the development of Nigerian sports.
Kaduna presents another test
Benjamin now returns to Kaduna, his base, with the 2026 Triennial National Delegates Congress determining whether delegates believe his first term deserves another three years.
His case for re-election rests largely on what happened between 2023 and 2026: reconciliation of troubled chapters, expansion of membership, improvement of administrative systems, closer international relationships and practical interventions for journalists travelling on major assignments.
There are also objectives that remain works in progress. The proposed permanent national secretariat, continued professional training, improved welfare for members and stronger institutional recognition for sports journalists will require further attention.
That makes the Kaduna election more than a judgement on the past three years. Delegates will also be deciding whether Benjamin should be given another term to complete unfinished projects and build on the structures established by his administration.
For a president who came into office with unity and institutional stability among his immediate challenges, the strongest part of his record may be the effort to make SWAN function more cohesively at national and chapter levels while extending its relationships beyond Nigeria’s borders.
The final verdict was overwhelming support for another term in office.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
