In a significant development for the media landscape in Oyo State, Mr. Rotimi Agboluaje, the state correspondent for The Guardian newspaper, has been elected as the new Secretary of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Peaceful Election Yields New Leadership
The executive election, which took place on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, was held at the chapel's secretariat in the Mokola area of Ibadan. The exercise, deemed peaceful and transparent by observers, produced a fresh set of leaders who will steer the affairs of the chapel for the next three years.
Agboluaje secured his position after a keenly contested race, polling 31 votes to defeat his opponent, Mr. Musliudeen Adebayo of the Daily Post, who received 10 votes.
Complete Executive Committee Emerges
The election also saw Mr. Yinka Adeniran of The Nation newspaper emerge as the new Chairman. Adeniran mirrored Agboluaje's vote count, securing 31 votes to overcome Mr. John Alabi of Silverbird Television, who garnered 10 votes.
Other members elected into the executive council include Mr. Remi Koleoso, who became Vice Chairman, and Mr. Shehu Sulaiman of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), elected as Treasurer. Both Koleoso and Sulaiman were returned to their positions unopposed.
A three-man electoral committee led by Pastor Ola Ajayi conducted the poll under the watchful eyes of officials from the NUJ Oyo State Council. The State Council Chairman, Comrade Akeem Abas, alongside his executive members, was present at the venue.
Oath of Office and Acceptance Speeches
Following the conclusion of voting, Chairman Abas administered the oath of office to the newly elected executives, formally inaugurating them. Abas praised the members for a well-organized process, describing the election as one of the best in the state council's history.
"The Correspondents’ Chapel, of which I am also a member, has once again demonstrated maturity and professionalism," Abas stated. He urged the new leaders to uphold journalistic ethics and lead with integrity.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Secretary, Rotimi Agboluaje, expressed profound gratitude to his colleagues for their trust. "I am humbled by the trust placed in me, and I accept this responsibility with a deep sense of duty and clarity of purpose," he said.
Agboluaje pledged to prioritize the welfare, safety, and professional growth of chapel members. He also promised to foster transparency, strengthen communication, and seek strategic partnerships to enhance the chapel's relevance.
Similarly, Chairman Yinka Adeniran called for collective support from all members to achieve the executive's goals and further unite the chapel.
The Correspondents' Chapel comprises journalists representing national and international media organizations operating in Oyo State. It plays a crucial role in advocating for press freedom, ethical journalism, and the welfare of its members.
