The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Byblos Travels and Tours Nigeria Limited to provide affordable travel and logistics support for sports journalists nationwide.
The agreement, signed in Abuja, is expected to reduce the financial burden on members through discounted airfares, visa advisory services, accommodation support, and other travel-related benefits.
Speaking at the signing, SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, described the partnership as a major step toward improving the welfare and professional capacity of members.
“Anything that will benefit our members, we are always interested in it. Having gone through the contents of this agreement, I believe it will help our members in no small measure,” he said.
Benjamin lamented the dangers of road travel and the high cost of domestic airfares, noting that many sports journalists have missed important events due to cost.
“You can imagine our members travelling for thirteen or fourteen hours by road just to cover a match because they cannot afford the airfare. Some eventually choose not to go at all,” he stated.
He expressed optimism that the partnership would enable more journalists to cover major sporting events, including the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Leader of the Byblos delegation, Mr. Abubakar Nasrudeen, said the company, which specialises in ticketing, visa processing and tour packages, was delighted to partner with SWAN.
“We are ready to give SWAN all the support in terms of airfare, visas and travel packages. We want members to enjoy special fares and opportunities that they cannot easily get elsewhere,” he said.
Nasrudeen added that Byblos would continue to explore other opportunities that could benefit members of the association.
Also speaking, veteran sports journalist and facilitator of the agreement, Mr. Abdulgafar Oladimeji, commended the SWAN leadership for embracing initiatives that promote members’ welfare.
He said the current SWAN leadership, under President Benjamin, has restored stability and unity to the association, creating an atmosphere that attracts beneficial partnerships.
SWAN Secretary-General, Ikenna Okonkwo, ANIPR, noted that the timing of the agreement is crucial with preparations underway for WAFCON 2026 and the Commonwealth Games.
The partnership is expected to enhance the mobility of sports journalists, increase their participation in international events, and improve the quality of sports reportage in Nigeria.
