DevReporting has selected 23 journalists from across Osun State, South-West Nigeria, to participate in its Local Governance Reporting Project ahead of the state’s 2026 governorship election.

The journalists were selected from a pool of 62 applicants following an open call by DevReporting. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through its Local Media Sustainability Fund (LMSF), with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. 

DevReporting seeks to strengthen accountability journalism and support evidence-based reporting on governance, transparency, public finance and public service delivery across Osun State as citizens prepare to elect a new governor in 2026.

According to Samson Ademola, Programme Manager and Associate Editor at DevReporting,  a total of 62 applications were received from 53 male (85.5 per cent) and nine female (14.5 per cent) journalists across the state. 

“Following the review process, 23 applicants were selected, representing a selection rate of 37.1 per cent. Of those selected, 18 (78.3 per cent) are male while five (21.7 per cent) are female,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. 

The selected journalists were drawn from five locations across Osun State: Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa, Ikirun, and Ilobu. They represent 25 media and professional platforms, reflecting a diverse mix of print, broadcast, digital, and media. 

The selected journalists are Adeniran Taiwo of Diamond 88.5 FM, Oluwafemi Emmanuel of Fresh FM Osogbo, Adeshina Abubakar of Vanguard, Ahmed Dorcas of Osun TV, Abisola Ariwodola of Ministry of Information, and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ); Ayobami Agboola of New Telegraph, Bamigbola Gbolagunte of The Sun, Dorcas Elusogbon of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Hammed Tajudeen of Blaze Newz Nigeria, Lateef Dada of The Sun, and Adedoyin Oguntade of the Association of Campus Journalists at the Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU).

Others are Mariam Alabi of DevReporting, Matthew Ogunwale of ACJOAU, Ogundare Oluwatayo of PIJAlance Magazine, Oguntunde Charles, a freelancer; Oluchi Amuda of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Quadril Olayiwola of Insightlinks, Sikiru Obarayese of Nigerian Tribune, Sodiq Yusuf of Osun Defender, Timothy Agbor of The Point/The Guardian, Toba Adedeji of The Nation; Tobi Sanusi of Rave FM/Western Spring Television; and Victor Adeoti of NAN.

The participants will participate in a virtual training on Thursday, 23 July, where they will receive practical sessions on investigative journalism, multimedia storytelling, identifying local and hyperlocal governance issues, developing compelling story pitches, and producing impactful accountability stories.

Following the training, participants will receive editorial mentorship to refine their story ideas. Successful pitches will receive reporting grants to support fieldwork and the production of in-depth, human-centred investigations into governance, financial accountability, public service delivery and democratic accountability across Osun State.

Mr Ademola added that the project is designed to equip journalists with the skills, editorial support and resources required to produce strong public interest journalism in their locality.

“Through this project, we are equipping journalists with practical investigative skills, editorial mentorship and reporting support to produce evidence-based stories that promote transparency, strengthen accountability and foster informed public discourse ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.”

About DevReporting and CJID

DevReporting is a niche media and cinematic platform dedicated to producing impactful journalism on development issues across Nigeria and Africa. Through investigations, multimedia storytelling and media capacity development, the organisation promotes accountability, transparency and inclusive development.

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) is a West African media innovation and development organisation that leverages journalism, technology, research and open data to advance democratic accountability, human rights, good governance and sustainable development. Through its Local Media Sustainability Fund (LMSF), CJID strengthens independent journalism, promotes media innovation and supports the long-term sustainability of news organisations.