NFM Weekly Digest: The Stories Nigerian Women Made This Week

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This week, we reported on women making strides in law, technology and storytelling, while also examining the violence, abuse and institutional failures affecting women and girls. Our stories covered femicide, the sexual assault of a schoolgirl, the deaths of nurses, online harassment and blackmail, and a journalist facing trial over a social media post. We also highlighted the fight for better representation in children’s literature, the work of women human rights defenders, reproductive health reporting, and initiatives advancing menstrual health and girls’ safety.

1. Nigerian Author Lola Shoneyin Champions Publication of 20 Children’s Literature

Acclaimed Nigerian author Lola Shoneyin championed the publication of 20 high-quality children’s books. The books were unveiled on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, during the Abuja Festival of Literature and Ideas. Spearheaded by her NGO, Book Buzz Foundation, the initiative brought together 24 young Nigerian writers and illustrators from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones under the Nigerian Picture Book Project. The European Union and Sterling Bank supported it. Participants were mentored and trained intensively for three months, then paired across regions to create high-quality stories for children aged four to nine. They produced more than 30,000 copies to distribute directly to public schools, rural libraries, and book festivals across Nigeria.

2. Elegant Nurses Forum Demands Probe Into Deaths of Nurses at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital

The Elegant Nurses Forum has called for an independent investigation into the deaths of two nurses undergoing speciality training at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, amid allegations of intimidation and coercion by the hospital management.

3. Femicide: Male Police Officer Amos Yusuf Kills Female Colleague, Commits Suicide in Kogi

The Kogi State Police Command has launched a formal investigation into the fatal shooting incident committed by male police officer, Corporal Amos Yusuf, against his female colleague, Corporal Grace Onimisi. After Amos shot his colleague, he subsequently turned the weapon on himself at the officers’ residential quarters in ASCO Camp, Ajaokuta.

4. Police Arrest Delta School Bus Driver Over Student’s Kidnapping, Sexual Assault

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Lucky Ughagha, for reportedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student in Sapele. The suspect reportedly demanded ₦200,000 and collected a ransom of ₦170,000 from the girl’s father. He also raped her.

5. NFM Unveils 22 Fellows from Seven African Countries for #16DaysOfActivism Reporting on Reproductive Health

Naija Feminists Media (NFM) has unveiled 22 fellows from seven African countries for its 2026 Editorial Fellowship on reproductive health, an initiative aimed at strengthening investigative journalism on reproductive rights and the barriers women and girls face in accessing healthcare. The fellows, selected for the fellowship organised ahead of the 2026 #16DaysOfActivism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, represent Nigeria, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, and Malawi.

6. Journalist, Farida Isiak, Faces Trial Over Police Criticism on Facebook

A 23-year-old journalist with Nagarta Radio, Farida Isiak, remains on bail after a Sharia Court in Kawo, Kaduna State, set aside an initial four-year prison sentence imposed for a Facebook post criticising police conduct. The case, which originated from a minor dispute involving her mother, has drawn sharp condemnation from Amnesty International Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over concerns about due process, press freedom, and the treatment of a young woman journalist.

7. Naija Feminists Media Discusses Media’s Role in Promoting Gender Equality on Women Radio

As part of its mandate to improve how the news represents and portrays women, Naija Feminists Media (NFM) appeared on Women Radio 91.7 FM’s Her Lens Podcast on October 27, 2026. The conversation focused on how media can amplify women’s voices, centre women’s experiences, and normalise a culture of inclusion and dignity towards gender equality.

8. Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2026: NFM Sets To Host X Space on Truths About Feminism

In commemoration of the Global Media and Information Literacy Week, Naija Feminists Media, Nigeria’s leading media organisation that amplifies women’s voices and experiences, will host a X space event on the theme, “ Unpacking Myths: What Feminism Really Is and Why It Matters”. The discussion will take place on Friday, October 30, 2026 by 5 pm WAT.

9. NHRDN Elects Women’s Rights Advocate Miriam Menkiti as Chairperson

The Nigerian  Human Rights Defenders Network (NHRDN) has elected Miriam Menkiti, founder and executive director of Women Information Network (WINET), as its chairperson at its first Annual General Meeting (AGM).

10. Nigerian Innovator Yinka Ogunbiyi Unveils Hair-Braiding Robot

In a powerful demonstration of African excellence, Nigerian-American biomechanical engineer Yinka Ogunbiyi has publicly unveiled HaloBraid, the world’s first braid-assist robot designed specifically to transform the laborious process of hair braiding. The technology promises to complete braids up to five times faster while protecting the bodies and livelihoods of the women who do the work.

11. X User Misquotes Senator Remi Tinubu During Election Campaign About Leaving Aso Rock

On 24 October 2026, @felixherbt, an X user, posted the video clip from a Gbaramatu Voice broadcast of the event held the previous day, with the altered quotation and critical commentary. The post gained substantial engagement, over 300,000 views, thousands of likes, and hundreds of reposts/quotes at the time of review.

12. Funke Akindele Partners with Facebook for Global Premieres of ‘The Four’

Nigerian women are achievers, and Funke Akindele has once again demonstrated this through a high-profile partnership with Facebook that elevates Nigerian storytelling on the global stage.Meta’s Facebook platform has partnered with the acclaimed Nollywood filmmaker, actress, and producer for the world premiere of her new film The Four; No One Fights Alone in London and its homecoming premiere in Lagos. The collaboration, announced on October 29, 2026, celebrates Nigerian creators and the communities that help their stories reach international audiences.

13. X User Falsely Attributes Nerve Injury Appeal to Actress Uche Ogbodo

On or about Oct. 28, 2026, an X user, REAL (@Yabgmi_), posted a video clip with this text:“I have been battling a severe nerve injury since February. On August I visited a hospital in Ogun state for treatment and underwent surgery on my buttocks. However, due to my diabetes, the wound has refused to heal. I am currently fighting for my life. I am appealing to everyone to come together and help me, if possible, fly me abroad for better medical treatment.” 

14. NFM Trains 2026 Editorial Fellows on Reproductive Health Reporting, Feminist Journalism

Naija Feminists Media (NFM) held a capacity-building workshop for its 2026 Editorial Fellowship on Reproductive Health on Tuesday, October 27, preparing fellows to report on reproductive health during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed annually from November 25 to December 10.

15. The Safety Shield Initiative: BFN to Advance Menstrual Health and Assault Awareness

Access to sanitary pads remains a challenge for many girls, with period poverty affecting their dignity, confidence, and participation in education. At the same time, sexual assault and technology-facilitated sexual violence pose serious risks to children’s safety, both offline and online. To address these challenges, Bliss For The Needy Foundation (BFN) will implement the Menstrual Health and Assault Awareness Programme (MHAAP) at Junior Secondary School, Piwoyi, Abuja, on November 27, 2026