Raji Adebayo Obtains NUJ Chairmanship Nomination Form, Moves to Succeed Babalola

omrade Raji Adebayo, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Correspondents Chapel, has taken a bold step toward contesting for the position of Chairman of the NUJ Oyo State Council. He has formally obtained the nomination form in his bid to succeed the incumbent, Comrade Ademola Babalola.

Adebayo boasts a robust journalism career: he started at the defunct National Concord in Lagos, and later contributed to outlets such as Herald, Encounter, National Daily, National Mirror, The Moment and Daily Newswatch. He currently serves as the Oyo State Correspondent for Daily Independent. His decades of experience include roles in the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and the Property & Environment Writers’ Association of Nigeria (PEWAN) in Lagos, marking him as an accomplished media professional.

In his statement, Adebayo pledged to leverage his experience for the benefit of the state’s journalism community, promising to prioritise professional development, welfare enhancement, ethical standards and active engagement with younger reporters. He is regarded as a strong candidate with a grassroots following, and his campaign is already gaining traction among the state’s media practitioners.

The race to succeed Babalola is expected to be competitive, with multiple aspirants likely to emerge. A successful outcome for Adebayo would signal both stability and renewal for NUJ’s Oyo State chapter. Media observers note that his leadership bid reflects broader trends in journalism governance—where experience, ethics and inclusivity are becoming key criteria for union leadership.