By Chigozie Chukwuleta
The National Patron of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Moses Andishu, has called on Nigerian sports journalists to reclaim their role as independent watchdogs and agenda-setters to drive national development.
Speaking at the SWAN 2026 Triennial Delegates Congress in Kaduna, Andishu warned members against sacrificing professional credibility for access, favors, or material benefits.
“We must not merely report the game; we must help change the game. We must not merely follow the agenda; we must set the agenda,” he said.
The SWAN patron urged sports writers to proactively scrutinize appointments, public budgets, policy decisions, facility upkeep, and athlete welfare rather than reacting only when failures occur. He questioned whether current reporting adequately holds officials accountable for systemic issues, citing dilapidated infrastructure and declining attention to domestic leagues.
To formalize the shift, Andishu proposed a seven-point agenda centered on investigative reporting, sports governance monitoring, grassroots advocacy, and ethical standards. He also advocated transforming SWAN into a media think tank that produces periodic “State of Nigerian Sports” reports and hosts accountability forums for sports administrators.
He further urged journalists to reject factionalism, combat misinformation, and champion opportunities for young athletes.
The theme of the congress was summarized as: “Stronger Media. Stronger Sports. Stronger Nation.”
