Sports Journalists Converge On Kaduna As SWAN Congress To Tackle Welfare, Digital Transformation

KADUNA – Sports journalists from across Nigeria are set to converge on Kaduna for the 2026 Triennial National Delegates Congress of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), with journalists’ welfare, digital transformation and the future of sports journalism expected to dominate discussions.

According to statements published on the official SWAN Facebook page, the congress is scheduled to take place in Kaduna from August 26 to 29, 2026, under the theme, “Harnessing the Power of Sports and the Media for National Development, Youth Empowerment and Global Competitiveness.”

The association said state teams, comprising their respective chairmen and secretaries, are expected to arrive in Kaduna from the afternoon of August 26, while departure is scheduled for the morning of August 29.

The gathering is expected to bring together SWAN delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside sports administrators, government representatives, media stakeholders and other invited dignitaries.

SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, said the congress would go beyond the association’s electoral responsibilities, describing it as an opportunity for members to examine challenges confronting sports journalism and chart a new direction for the profession.

“The SWAN Triennial National Delegates Congress is more than an electoral gathering. It is an opportunity for us as sports journalists to reflect, deliberate and renew our commitment to using sports and the media as instruments for national development,” Benjamin said in a statement published on the association’s official Facebook page.

He urged delegates to prepare for meaningful contributions to discussions aimed at repositioning the association and strengthening the role of sports journalism in Nigeria.

According to the association, issues expected to feature prominently at the congress include professional development, journalists’ welfare, media ethics, digital transformation and the broader role of sports journalism in national development.

The congress is also expected to provide an opportunity for delegates to examine how sports journalists can adapt to the rapidly changing media landscape while maintaining professional standards and credibility.

Chairman of the Kaduna State SWAN Chapter, Shehu U. Abdullahi, assured delegates and invited guests that the host chapter had made preparations to receive participants from across the country.

“Kaduna is ready. We are delighted and proud to welcome the leadership of SWAN, delegates from the 36 states and the FCT, invited dignitaries and other stakeholders,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the Kaduna chapter was committed to ensuring that delegates were received warmly and experienced the hospitality of the state.

SWAN Secretary-General, Ikenna Okonkwo, also expressed confidence in Kaduna’s preparedness, saying arrangements had continued to ensure a seamless experience for participants throughout the event.

“We are fully prepared to receive our colleagues and guests. Our focus has been on ensuring that the Congress experience is seamless, from the arrival of delegates to the various activities lined up for the gathering,” Okonkwo said.

Ahead of the congress, SWAN has also constituted a three-member Media Sub-Committee to coordinate content creation and dissemination before, during and after the event.

The committee is chaired by Samuel Ahmadu, Managing Editor of SavidNews and NigeriaFootball.ng, while Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Blueprint Correspondent and Assistant Secretary of SWAN Kaduna State Chapter, serves as secretary. Tunde Liadi of The Nation Newspaper and Sporting Life is the third member.

Ahmadu said the committee would ensure that discussions and decisions emerging from the congress reached audiences through print, television, radio and digital platforms.

“Our responsibility is not only to report what happens in Kaduna but also to tell the story of why this Congress matters,” Ahmadu said.

He said the committee would engage media platforms across the country to ensure comprehensive coverage of the congress and extend reporting beyond the event.

The congress is expected to serve as a major platform for sports journalists to deliberate on the changing media landscape, professional standards, welfare and the association’s contribution to the development of Nigerian sports.