Intern’s Diary: Thrilled about my growth and newfound confidence 

In December 2024, my three-month internship supported by the Next Gen Internship Programme of the Centre for Journalism and Innovation Development (CJID) officially came to an end. Over the past two months, I have shared my journey and experiences at the end of each month, and, now, I want to reflect on my final chapter.

October through November 2024 was a learning curve for me. I gained a deeper understanding of research communication and exposed myself to different levels of experiences that have shaped my thoughts on public policy and social impact. As a media, research, and tech-driven organisation, the team at Dataphyte is well-read and innovative. I interacted with many of them (individually), asked questions, and received feedback about their roles and how each role has been pivotal to the organisation’s key goals and Nigeria’s development.

I am also inspired by their contributions to media and AI developments in Africa. Beyond my writing activities, which have allowed me to hone my research and analytical skills, I had the opportunity to participate in their workshop, which deconstructed the different AI products of Dataphyte and their specific relevance to the journalism community and Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria. This workshop helped me interact with these products (Goloka, Nubia, and Anfani) and fully grasp their potential when effectively maximised especially by journalists.

Adding to my experience, in November 2024, I volunteered to contribute to a book compendium on diverse socio-economic issues key to Nigeria’s governance, economy, and development. In the book, I wrote “The Psychological Impacts of a Turbulent Economy in Nigeria.” My team lead and colleagues supported me with their contributions and insights through the process of researching and sourcing data, and I am super proud that the book will be released sometime this year.

Having primarily focused on journalism before this programme, the three-month experience rebranded my skills and abilities. And now, I don’t just write stories, but craft them from the perspective of thorough research and analysis. I am eager to continue following this path of excellence while maintaining these qualities in my work.

As I move on to the next phase, I am thrilled about my growth and the confidence I am carrying with me to continue making impacts through research, analysis, and storytelling. I would also like to thank CJID and Dataphyte for supporting this programme that builds the next generation of journalists and media experts.