CJID Trains Osun Students on Ethical, Investigative Journalism at OAU

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development has trained student journalists in Osun State through its Next Gen Campus Journalism Clinic, equipping participants with practical skills in ethical reporting, investigative journalism, and multimedia storytelling.

The training commenced with a virtual onboarding session on March 22, 2026, before transitioning to in-person sessions at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University on March 24, 2026. Supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the programme is part of CJID’s Next Gen/Campus Reporter initiative aimed at strengthening evidence-based journalism among young reporters.

Participants from Obafemi Awolowo University, Fountain University, and Osun State University attended the three-day hybrid training.

The clinic opened with sessions on fact-checking and media literacy facilitated by the Assistant Editor, Dubawa, Lois Ugbede, alongside training on collaborative newsroom tools and story pitching led by project officer of the Next Gen project, Osaruonamen Ibizugbe. These sessions laid the foundation for participants to understand the importance of accuracy, verification, and effective collaboration in modern journalism.

Activities intensified on March 24, with a strong focus on news writing and investigative reporting. Mr Idris Akinbajo, Managing Editor of Premium Times, guided participants through news values, contextual reporting, and the inverted pyramid structure, while demonstrating how stories can be localized, nationalized, or globalized for different audiences. He also introduced strategies for identifying leads, verifying facts, and conducting impactful investigations, emphasizing accuracy, credibility, and ethical conduct.

A session on inclusive reporting, led by Mrs Busola Ajibola, Deputy Director of CJID’s Journalism Programme underscored the importance of integrating gender and disability perspectives into news coverage. Participants were encouraged to avoid stereotypes and promote balanced, representative storytelling.

Participants were later grouped into newsroom teams to pitch stories addressing issues within their respective institutions, simulating real newsroom environments. The first day concluded with a courtesy visit to the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, who commended the initiative for its relevance and potential impact on students.

Day two shifted toward practical application, with sessions on news gathering, source mapping, and interviewing, facilitated by Mr Adejumo Kabir, Senior Researcher at Good Governance Africa GGA. Participants also received hands-on training in multimedia reporting from Mr Gbolahan Ogunsolu, Media Production Associate at the CJID.

Further sessions deepened participants’ understanding of investigative journalism, as Mr Akinbajo equipped them with tools to ask critical questions, uncover hidden issues, and report responsibly while minimizing harm.

An evening virtual session led by Data Journalist at the Cable, Mr Victor Ejechi, introduced participants to data-driven storytelling, focusing on sourcing, analysis, and visualization techniques.

The final day broadened the scope of training with a session on broadcast presentation by Ms Ibizugbe, where participants developed skills in voice delivery, clarity, and audience engagement across television, radio, and podcasting platforms.

Additional sessions explored hyperlocal journalism and journalists’ safety, with Mr Kabir emphasizing on community-based reporting and safety practices when covering sensitive issues. A session on civic education and citizen responsibility was covered by Ms Amina Miango, Project Manager, MiNE/LDJ, while the Deputy Director, Accountability Programme, Mr Mboho Eno engaged participants on youth participation in governance. In another session, Mr Kabir introduced participants to newsroom practices and safety considerations specific to campus reporting.

Beyond the classroom sessions, participants conducted field interviews with students, staff, transport workers, and university officials, gaining practical, firsthand reporting experience.

Reflecting on the programme, Muhammad Takitullahi of Osun State University described the training as enlightening, noting that it would significantly improve his journalism practice while commending the support provided by the organisers.

The training concluded with certificate presentations, formally inducting participants into the Campus Reporter network and marking the beginning of their continued engagement in CJID’s mentorship and storytelling ecosystem.

Campus Reporter

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