World Press Freedom Day: Celebrating Nigerian Journalists Driving UN Communications in the World’s Most Challenging Crises
By Rebecca Ejifoma
Across some of the world’s toughest humanitarian emergencies, from the devastation in Ukraine to the conflicts and disasters that stretch across Africa and Asia, Nigerian professionals are stepping into pivotal roles within the United Nations system. They are no longer just observers of global crises but are actively shaping the way humanitarian stories are told, mobilizing resources, and ensuring the human cost of war and disaster is not forgotten. One of the leading figures in this work is Adedeji Ademigbuji, a former Lagos-based journalist who now serves as a Public Information Officer with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
In Myanmar, Abiodun Sulaimon Banire, a former journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority, carries the same torch as UNICEF’s Communications Specialist, leading efforts to spotlight the plight of more than 6.4 million children in need of urgent assistance. In a country where conflict, displacement, and natural disasters collide, his work ensures that the stories of children and families are not buried in silence, but carried to the global stage where decisions and resources are mobilised.
In Ukraine, where the war has created Europe’s largest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, Ademigbuji’s work is central to how the UN communicates with the world. His job is to ensure that the suffering of civilians, from bombed-out towns to families displaced in search of shelter, remains visible in an increasingly crowded media environment. His assignment is complex and sensitive, demanding a careful balance between accuracy, neutrality, and empathy. Yet it is a task for which his entire professional journey has prepared him.
Ademigbuji began his career firmly rooted in journalism. After obtaining a National Diploma in Mass Communication from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and later a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Lagos State University in 2008, he entered the competitive and often unforgiving world of Nigerian media. Starting in 2001, he worked his way through several outlets, first as an intern and then in progressively senior roles. He reported for The Nation, where he became known as a senior correspondent, and earlier served as a business correspondent at the National Mirror and assistant features editor at Success Digest.
He quickly built a reputation for sharp and socially conscious reporting, often highlighting issues of governance, corporate responsibility, and the wider impact of business practices on communities. His work earned him national recognition. In 2013, he won the Social Enterprise Reporting Award in Corporate Social Responsibility and the Nigerian Media Merit Award in the Brands and Marketing category. He became a multiple NMMA laureate, picking up further awards in categories such as Newspaper Reporter of the Year and Telecom Reporter of the Year. He also jointly won the inaugural Media Award on Electrical Counterfeiting in Africa, organized by Schneider Electric. These accolades were the result not just of strong newsroom instincts but of a consistent orientation towards stories that gave visibility to underreported issues and the human impact of political and economic decisions.
This grounding laid the foundation for his eventual move into humanitarian communications. In early 2017, Ademigbuji left mainstream journalism and joined the United Nations World Food Programme as a Communications Associate in Maiduguri, the epicenter of Nigeria’s northeast conflict with Boko Haram and other armed groups. Maiduguri was a city under siege, hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced people fleeing violence. Food insecurity was severe, malnutrition rates among children had reached emergency levels, and humanitarian workers operated under constant threat.
In this volatile environment, Ademigbuji helped document and communicate the human dimension of the crisis. He collected first-hand stories, managed media relations, and worked to ensure that the plight of displaced families was visible to national and international audiences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a crucial role in amplifying WFP’s response, showing how already vulnerable communities were further strained by lockdowns and economic disruption. His storytelling went beyond traditional reporting, using video, photography, and digital campaigns to transform raw field data into narratives that engaged policymakers, donors, and the public.
In April 2021, he moved to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Abuja, where he took up the position of National Public Information Officer. The role placed him at the center of humanitarian communications in Nigeria, coordinating messaging among diverse partners and managing the delicate balance between local sensitivities and global advocacy. He was responsible for aligning communications across the humanitarian community, strengthening media relations, generating content, and expanding OCHA’s digital presence.
One of his most powerful outputs during this time was a feature for OCHA’s Medium platform titled Caught in crisis: Voices from north-east Nigeria. In it, he amplified the testimonies of displaced Nigerians living in overcrowded camps, their daily struggles, and their hopes for recovery. The report was emblematic of his belief that humanitarian communication should always center on affected people rather than institutions. He also played a visible role in high-level moments of advocacy. When Secretary-General António Guterres visited Nigeria in 2022, Ademigbuji was part of the communications team ensuring that the voices of conflict-affected communities were not drowned out by diplomatic protocol. He also helped lead digital campaigns marking World Humanitarian Day, spotlighting both frontline workers and the communities they serve.
On the strength of these experiences, he was eventually deployed beyond Nigeria. His assignments included supporting famine prevention efforts in Somalia, and more recently, communications work in Ukraine. The Ukrainian crisis represents one of the most challenging communication environments for the UN today. The war has not only displaced millions but has also polarized global opinion, creating an environment where neutral humanitarian messaging must compete with powerful political and military narratives.
Ademigbuji’s task in Ukraine is to keep the humanitarian dimension central. He works with local and international media, produces field stories from affected regions, and manages digital content that highlights both the resilience and the needs of civilians. Here his Nigerian experience is invaluable. Having worked in an environment where humanitarian crises often struggled to compete for global attention, he brings the skill of focusing attention on the human side of conflict. Just as he once amplified the voices of displaced families in Borno State, he now gives visibility to families uprooted by shelling in Kharkiv or Kherson.
His journey reflects larger trends in humanitarian work. It shows how local expertise can translate to global relevance, how storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for mobilizing empathy and resources, and how the presence of African professionals in global institutions helps diversify and strengthen the narratives that shape international action.
Banire began his assignment as Head of Communications and Advocacy at UNICEF Myanmar in late 2023, he stepped into one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises. The country was still reeling from the 2021 military takeover and the violence that followed. Entire villages had been displaced, schools and hospitals were caught in the crossfire, and children lived daily with the fear of airstrikes, landmines, and uncertainty about the future. For UNICEF, the mission was clear but daunting: to protect children, uphold their rights, and make sure their voices were not silenced by conflict.
Banire’s task is to lead the communication and advocacy strategy in this environment. It was a responsibility that required not only technical expertise but also resilience, cultural sensitivity, and a deep belief that children’s stories matter. His work has since become central to how UNICEF communicates the realities of Myanmar’s crisis to the rest of the world, ensuring that the global community cannot look away.
Myanmar’s conflict is not uniform. It stretches across ethnic states and regions, creating different forms of vulnerability for children. In some areas, children are out of school because classrooms have been destroyed or occupied. In others, families live with the daily threat of unexploded ordnance and landmines. Many children are displaced, living in temporary shelters without access to safe water or healthcare. Some face recruitment by armed groups.
Banire’s role is to ensure that these realities are seen, understood, and addressed at both national and international levels. He leads campaigns that highlight child protection issues, from the danger of landmines to the urgent need for safe learning spaces. He crafts communication strategies that connect policymakers in New York or Geneva with the lived experiences of children in Rakhine or Kachin. And he builds narratives that demonstrate not only the scale of suffering but also the resilience and aspirations of Myanmar’s youngest generation.
One of the most urgent campaigns under Banire’s leadership has been raising awareness about landmines and explosive remnants of war. For children in rural Myanmar, these hidden dangers are a daily reality. Playing in fields, walking to school, or helping with chores can become life-threatening activities.
Through stories and advocacy pieces, Banire has brought these risks to international attention. He has worked with photographers and field staff to document the experiences of survivors, presenting them not as anonymous statistics but as children with names, families, and dreams. These stories have fueled donor appeals and informed global discussions on child protection in conflict zones.
Another focus has been access to safe water. Displacement has left countless families relying on contaminated streams or makeshift wells. The consequences are immediate: outbreaks of diarrhea, malnutrition, and preventable deaths. By centering communication on the daily struggles of mothers fetching unsafe water or children falling ill, Banire has made the case for urgent investment in clean water systems. These narratives connect technical interventions with human impact, helping audiences far removed from Myanmar understand why something as simple as a water pump can transform lives.
Education has been another pillar of his campaigns. With schools destroyed or unsafe, millions of children are at risk of losing years of learning. Banire has highlighted the stories of teachers who continue classes in temporary shelters and children who walk miles to attend informal learning centers. His advocacy emphasizes that education is not a luxury but a lifeline, especially in conflict zones where it offers structure, hope, and protection.
What distinguishes Banire’s work is his ability to transform local experiences into global narratives. A story from a displacement camp in Myanmar is not just a local report; under his direction, it becomes part of UNICEF’s global advocacy platforms. Whether it is a video on social media, a feature on UNICEF’s international website, or a briefing note for donors, the central message remains the same: children must be at the heart of humanitarian action.
For instance, a story about a boy who survived a landmine accident becomes not only a call for mine action in Myanmar but also a reminder of the global movement to ban landmines and protect children in conflict. A photo essay about girls attending makeshift classes becomes an advocacy tool for global education initiatives. By positioning these stories within broader conversations, Banire ensures that Myanmar’s children are not forgotten and that their struggles resonate with audiences worldwide.
Communication in Myanmar is fraught with risks. Words can have political consequences, and misinformation spreads quickly. Banire’s role demands precision and tact. Every press release, advocacy brief, or social media post must balance urgency with neutrality, ensuring that UNICEF remains a trusted and impartial voice.
This is where his experience from previous humanitarian roles comes into play. He is meticulous about verifying facts, careful about protecting the identities of vulnerable children, and deliberate about the tone of advocacy messages. His leadership has helped UNICEF Myanmar maintain credibility while still speaking powerfully about violations against children.
At the heart of Banire’s work is a commitment to giving children a platform. Too often, humanitarian communication reduces them to passive victims. He insists that children’s own voices be central to the narrative. Field missions often involve collecting testimonies directly from children and their caregivers, ensuring that their perspectives shape the story.
This approach has a double effect. It empowers children by recognizing their agency, and it reminds international audiences that humanitarian issues are not abstract. They are lived realities narrated by those experiencing them. By putting children at the center, Banire reinforces UNICEF’s identity as an organisation dedicated to protecting and empowering the youngest in society.
Effective advocacy requires more than compelling stories. It requires networks. Banire has invested in building relationships with local journalists, international correspondents, donor representatives, and other humanitarian agencies. These partnerships expand UNICEF’s reach and credibility.
He represents UNICEF In inter-agency communication groups, where he advocates for children’s issues to remain at the top of the humanitarian agenda. He also collaborates with program teams to align communication with programmatic goals, ensuring that advocacy is backed by evidence and results. By linking stories from the field to larger strategies, he bridges the gap between communication and impact.
Humanitarian crises do not wait for communication strategies to unfold slowly. Sudden escalations demand immediate responses. In moments when conflict intensifies and displacement surges, Banire oversees rapid communication products that inform global audiences of unfolding events. These updates are essential for mobilizing resources quickly and for keeping children’s protection visible amid the chaos.
Such moments test the resilience of communication teams. Information is often incomplete, access is restricted, and emotions run high. Yet Banire has developed a steady approach: focus on verified facts, highlight the human impact, and maintain the clarity of UNICEF’s child-centered voice.
Since taking up the role, Banire’s work has contributed to raising the visibility of UNICEF Myanmar during one of the country’s darkest periods. His campaigns have helped sustain donor interest in child protection, water, education, and health. His storytelling has kept Myanmar’s crisis present in international media at a time when global attention risks shifting elsewhere.
Perhaps most importantly, his leadership in communication has reinforced a principle that lies at the heart of humanitarian work: that children must not be sidelined in political and military conflicts. Their voices, their rights, and their futures must guide the global response.
Banire’s journey with UNICEF Myanmar is ongoing. Each campaign, each story, and each advocacy effort adds to a body of work that is both professional and deeply personal. He continues to travel to conflict-affected areas, gather voices from the ground, and amplify them to the world. He continues to work with colleagues across programmes and agencies to ensure that communication is not just about visibility but about impact.
In a landscape where crises compete for attention, his role is a reminder that communication can be an act of protection. By keeping children visible, by insisting that their stories matter, Banire ensures that humanitarian action is not just about statistics or strategies but about lives.
His work at UNICEF Myanmar remains a living mission, a daily effort to champion children in conflict and to ensure that even in the most difficult circumstances, their voices continue to shape the global conscience.
