Psychiatrist Warns Deadline-Driven Journalists Face Rising Mental-Health Risks
Hussaini Ibrahim 
Dr Aminu Shehu
KANO, Nigeria – A leading mental-health expert is urging Nigerian journalists to take their psychological wellbeing seriously as the industry faces mounting pressure, tighter deadlines and growing exposure to trauma.
Consultant psychiatrist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Dr Aminu Shehu, issued the warning on Saturday while presenting a paper titled “Pressure Amid Deadline: Psychiatric/Mental Health Precautions” at the 2025 Retreat of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ.
Dr Shehu explains that the chronic strain of reporting distressing events, combined with constant newsroom pressure, significantly increases the risk of depression, anxiety and burnout. He stresses that restorative sleep and scheduled rest are crucial, noting that “life span itself depends on how people have sound and good sleep.”
He encourages journalists to seek professional help whenever they feel overwhelmed, emphasising that early support can prevent long-term psychological harm.
Other experts at the retreat highlight additional challenges confronting modern media workers. Legal practitioner Yusuf Abdul Salam, speaking on “The Defamatory Border Lines in Media Reports,” advises journalists to maintain rigorous verification to avoid reputational and legal consequences.
Media-technology specialist Hajia Sani urges practitioners to embrace artificial intelligence while understanding its limitations, arguing that digital tools are essential for relevance in today’s fast-changing media ecosystem.
Digital-media analyst Abdullateef Abubakar Jos underscores the urgent need for ethical reporting, especially as online publishers battle misinformation, cyber-risks and shrinking credibility.
Closing the retreat, Kano Government House spokesperson Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa praises the organisers but warns journalists against excessive reliance on AI. “Creativity and professional judgement must guide newsroom decisions,” he says, calling for balanced adoption of new technologies.
About the Author
Mirian Gom 
Chukwu Obinna 
