Participants at the end of the CJID Journalism Training in UNILAG
By Mariam Tijani
Fading dreams found strength, many participants said – stories were fearlessly shared – as the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) trained 50 students in journalism on June 2nd and 3rd at the University of Lagos Design Studio.
The Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID) is a non-governmental organization in Nigeria, founded in 2014. It is a technology and knowledge-producing think tank that supports and empowers the African media. The CJID returned to the University of Lagos after its first training which held seven years ago, to host its just concluded 45th journalism workshop.
The Next-Gen/campus reporter project was designed to equip students with skills needed to excel as campus reporters and in promoting student activism. Among the 50 students present were members of the UNILAG Press Club, students from the Department of Mass Communication, and others passionate about media and journalism.
On the first day of the training, the session titled “Understanding Journalism and Its Guiding Ethics” introduced students to the basic concepts of journalism, highlighting the distinctions between journalists and other media users. The session covered fundamental elements of journalistic ethics, news reporting and its core components, fact-checking—with practical exercises where students were grouped to conduct live fact-checking of claims—and investigative journalism, where students shared campus stories they hoped to explore with the support of facilitators.
The first day’s facilitators included Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director of the Journalism Program at CJID; Kabir Adejumo, Head of Southern Operations at HumAngle; Elizabeth Ogunbamowo, fact checker at Dubawa; and Iretomiwa Dele-Yussuf, project officer for the Campus Reporter project.
The training continued on the second day with a focus on “storytelling in journalism”. Kabir Adejumo spoke on the key elements of storytelling, “captivating the audience,” according to one attendee, with a reading of his story titled “In Nigeria’s Sex Trade, There is Space for Mothers and Grandmothers too”. This was followed by a session on Gender-Sensitive Reporting and Telling Inclusive Stories, led by Busola Ajibola.
Wemimo Adewunmi brought laughter and fun to the room as she led a practical session on broadcast journalism. The rest of the day featured sessions on data-driven storytelling by Victor Ejechi, multimedia and photography, and Iretomiwa Dele-Yussuf, who encouraged students to explore the opportunities available through the Campus Reporter initiative.
At the end of the training, the trainees received certificates of participation, followed by a photo session with the organizers and fellow students. When asked to share their testimonials, the students spoke about how impactful the experience had been, surpassing their expectations, and not excluding the delicious tea and lunch breaks that were served.
“I have always been passionate about speaking and journalism, but was disappointed when I wasn’t offered admission to study Mass Communication, so when I saw the CJID training, I applied and prayed because it is the opportunity I have always wanted,” said Abdulquadri, a trainee. It was a very deeply felt moment of gratitude.
The Center for Journalism, Innovation and Development, through its initiatives, aims to usher in a new dawn for campus journalism at the University of Lagos and beyond.
Many trainees said they left inspired – and that the future of student activism shines brightly again. The organization pledges to continue offering training and mentorship opportunities to deserving campus journalists across Nigeria through its Campus Reporter project, covering data journalism, AI, and other essential skills.
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