Journalists from over 30 media organisations have urged the National Assembly to enact a law protecting the rights of Abuja Original Inhabitants (AOIs), citing decades of displacement and exclusion since the creation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day summit on environmental justice and indigenous rights, the participants said the proposed legislation would provide a legal and institutional framework to address what they described as “historical injustice” suffered by indigenous communities following the promulgation of Decree 6 of February 4, 1976, which transferred the nation’s capital from Lagos to Abuja.

The communiqué, signed by Adewale Adeoye, Kasali Akinwale, Usman Kadir and Mrs Mariam Usman, stated that the bill would move beyond symbolic gestures to address structural issues affecting the estimated two million AOIs, including political and economic exclusion, limited access to education and primary healthcare, and loss of ancestral lands.

The journalists also called on the Federal Government to domesticate and implement international frameworks such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) and relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.

According to the communiqué, while Abuja has developed into a modern capital city, many indigenous inhabitants continue to face poor living conditions and limited access to basic services.

The summit, organised by the Network of Journalists on Indigenous Issues (NEJII) with support from the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) and the MacArthur Foundation, also highlighted global examples of governments adopting legal measures to address indigenous concerns.

Participants urged Nigeria to draw lessons from countries such as Brazil and Chile, where policies that recognise indigenous rights have strengthened democratic governance and the rule of law.

Speaking at the event, Editor of Vanguard on Sunday, Wale Akinola, stressed the need for sustained media focus on indigenous issues, noting that environmental reporting must go beyond oil spills and gas flaring to include land rights, deforestation and displacement.

He urged journalists to prioritise accuracy and direct engagement with affected communities.

Akinola also challenged journalists to investigate the economic and policy interests behind environmental exploitation, while maintaining ethical standards that protect vulnerable communities.

Former News Editor of the Punch, Felix Oboagwina, argued that the struggle for the rights of AOIs requires stronger advocacy and leadership, drawing parallels with past environmental justice movements in Nigeria.

He warned that without sustained pressure, the proposed legislation may not receive the necessary political attention.

Participants further stressed that the displacement of AOIs has resulted not only in the loss of land and economic resources but also cultural and spiritual heritage, insisting that political appointments alone cannot address long-standing grievances.

They recommended the development of an AOIs Bill of Rights, a legal framework for compensation, and the creation of structured opportunities for indigenous communities.

They also called for the formation of a unified, legally recognised body to coordinate advocacy and represent AOIs’ interests.

The journalists concluded that sustained media attention, combined with legislative action, remains critical to addressing the challenges facing Abuja’s indigenous population and ensuring inclusive development in the nation’s capital.