January
January began with a powerful reflection on the craft, courage, and consequences of investigative journalism. At our Journalism and Society Conversations on 21 January, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) convened award-winning investigative reporters to share the stories behind their work, the personal toll of uncovering hard truths, and the real-world impact of journalism that holds power to account. Panellists spoke about resilience, collaboration, and why investigative journalism remains central to accountability and social change, setting a thoughtful tone for the conversations that would follow throughout the year.
WSCIJ mental health and psychosocial support
The year continued with a timely conversation on the mental well-being of investigative journalists.
At a mental health dialogue we hosted, journalists and mental health professionals reflected on burnout, work-life balance, and the often-unspoken toll of investigative work. We launched the second phase of its mental health and psychosocial support initiative under the Civic Space Guard project.
This was followed by a broader conversation on the shrinking civic space and what it means for press freedom. In Lagos, WSCIJ presented its 2023 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report, convening journalists, civil society actors, legal experts, and security stakeholders to examine rising violations, election-period risks, and the urgent need for collaboration, legal reform, and accountability.
February
We announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) Fellowship, Champion Building edition, inviting mid-career female journalists to build leadership capacity and strengthen investigative reporting.
World Radio Day celebration
To mark World Radio Day, WSCIJ hosted a lively conversation on radio’s power to make climate change stories relatable at the grassroots. Panellists reflected on radio’s unmatched reach, its role in countering misinformation, and why greater investment is needed to support climate reporting that centres communities most affected by the crisis.
Honouring Innocent Chukwuma on his 59th posthumous birthday
We collaborated with the Innocent Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation (ICCEF) to honour the late Innocent Chukwuma with a reflective conversation on access to justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Journalism and Society Conversations
We convened journalists, legal experts, and civil society actors to address threats to press freedom and civic space in Nigeria. Panellist stressed the need for collaboration, legal reforms, and journalist safety.
2025 World Day of Social Justice:
Later in the month, we joined the global community to mark the 2025 World Day of Social Justice, calling on journalists and media houses to champion equity, inclusion, and accountability. In our statement, we highlighted how investigative reporting on environmental harm, climate impacts, and gender-based exclusion demonstrates the power of journalism to drive a just and sustainable future.
March
Then in March, we kicked off the next phase of our Report Women! Initiative, shortlisting 12 female journalists for the sixth FRLP Fellowship. The fellowship equips these journalists to strengthen women’s leadership in newsrooms and amplify gender-focused investigative reporting across Nigeria, building on a decade of progress and impact.
International Women’s Day
To commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day, themed “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”, WSCIJ reaffirmed its commitment to gender-inclusive newsrooms, calling on media organisations to strengthen accountability journalism through greater representation of women.
Journalism and Society Conversations
Following our International Women’s Day statement, we continued the discussion on 18 March 2025 with a Journalism & Society Conversation on “Leveraging the news media in accelerating women’s leadership in Journalism and society.” Panellists highlighted the need for gender quotas, transparent promotions, policy reforms, and gender-focused journalism education to advance women’s leadership and representation in Nigerian newsrooms.
Our Executive Director/CEO named among 15 Women Redefining Nigerian Media
Also in March, Culture Custodian recognised our Executive Director/CEO, Motunrayo Alaka, as one of 15 Women Redefining Nigerian Media, honouring her leadership in investigative journalism, media development, and amplifying women’s voices in the news industry alongside others.
April
ReportWomen! FRLP fellowship training
In April, the sixth Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) Fellowship kicked off with a three-day residential training in Lagos, equipping 12 journalists from 12 newsrooms with skills and mentorship to strengthen investigative reporting and newsroom leadership. Resource persons, including Stella Din-Jacob, Idris Akinbajo, Juliana Francis, Bimbo Oloyede, and our Executive Director, Motunrayo Alaka, guided sessions on leadership, gender-sensitive reporting, safety, ethics, and accountability journalism. The training marked the start of a six-month fellowship where participants will develop investigative projects, engage in follow-up mentorship, and contribute to advancing women’s leadership in Nigerian newsrooms.
Journalism and Society Conversations
The April edition of WSCIJ’s Journalism & Society Conversation, themed “Strengthening Investigative Journalism through Local Support and Sustainable Models,” explored how Nigerian investigative journalism can thrive beyond donor dependence. Experts highlighted sustainable funding, hyperlocal reporting, and stronger professional networks as key to accountability and impact.
Strategic meeting on 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report
Also in April, we convened a virtual strategic meeting to plan the 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report. Key stakeholders, including academics, media leaders, and civic space experts, reviewed past editions, assessed developments in press freedom and public participation, and shared recommendations to guide the upcoming report.
2025 King’s Day celebration
WSCIJ joined partners from the Netherlands in Nigeria at the 2025 King’s Day celebration in Lagos, marking His Majesty King Willem-Alexander’s official birthday. Our attendance reinforced WSCIJ’s ongoing collaboration with the Netherlands and commitment to initiatives that promote development and cooperation.
May
Celebrating journalists on Workers’ Day
On 1 May 2025, we joined the nation in marking Workers’ Day by celebrating journalists for their tireless work in defending democracy and civic rights. The day highlighted the courage, dedication, and impact of media professionals who keep the public informed and hold power to account.
World Press Freedom Day
To mark World Press Freedom Day 2025, WSCIJ hosted a conversation on “Can the press stay free in an AI-driven world?” Experts called for human-led investigative reporting, Afro-contextual AI tools, and clear disclosure guidelines, stressing that technology should enhance – not replace – fieldwork and accountability journalism.
WSCIJ founder, honoured with HLFChristopher Kolade Award for Media Leadership
Dapo Olorunyomi, WSCIJ’s founder and Publisher of Premium Times, was honoured with the HLF-Christopher Kolade Award for Excellence in Media Leadership at the 2025 Hallmarks of Labour Awards on 3 May, in Lagos, recognising his unwavering commitment to media independence, ethical journalism, and accountability reporting in Nigeria.
Civic Space Guard activities
WSCIJ convened key media and civil society stakeholders to strengthen the framework for its 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report. During that strategy meeting, we reviewed progress on research, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement, while refining focus areas including media laws and legal protections of the report.
Journalism and Society Conversations
“Are newsrooms struggling to retain talent?” This was at the heart of the May edition of our #WSCIJConversations. Speakers highlighted that clear career paths, supportive work cultures, fair structures, and competitive pay are essential for keeping journalists motivated. They also called on media organisations to evolve – introduce independent HR teams, recognise journalists’ efforts, and adopt flexible work models that meet global standards.
ReportWomen! Activities
Participants of the 2025 Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme came together virtually for a Share Fair that offered space for reflection, learning, and growth. The session hosted by WSCIJ and with guidance from the mentors, allowed participants to share progress on their investigative stories and leadership projects.
June
Soyinka Laureates on an international study tour in the Netherlands
Eight journalists, as part of their Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting win, embarked on an international study tour in the Netherlands on 2 June.
Honouring Courage and Legacy Wole Soyinka and Dapo Olorunyomi Receive National Awards
June marked a proud moment for us as our Grand Patron, Wole Soyinka, and Founder, Dapo Olorunyomi, were honoured with national awards in recognition of their courageous roles in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Conferred during the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations by President Bola Tinubu.
Journalism and Society Conversations
During the conversation to commemorate June 12, panellists stressed the urgent need for media and civil society to safeguard press freedom in Nigeria. Discussions focused on strengthening newsroom protections, providing legal and mental health support for journalists, and tackling threats from political interference, corporate influence, and untrained practitioners.
In our press statement, we also honoured the historic struggle for free and fair elections and the courage of Nigerians who stand for their right to choose and hold power to account, stressing that democracy goes beyond voting.
July
Civic Space Guard activities
Just as it was done in May, we reconvened stakeholders in July to review the 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report ahead of its launch. The session focused on strengthening the report’s narrative, structure, data presentation, and visual elements, while sharpening the analysis of trends in civic space violations.
JCF hououred our ED/CEO for championing gender-sensitive journalism
In July, Journalists for Christ International Outreach honoured WSCIJ’s Executive Director/CEO, Motunrayo Alaka, by naming her an #EndMisogynyNG Ambassador, in recognition of her leadership in advancing gender-sensitive journalism.
WSCIJ Media Lecture Series
The 17th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture, held virtually on 13 July 2025 to celebrate Professor Wole Soyinka’s 91st birthday, highlighted the growing threats of surveillance and digital repression to journalists and democracy across Africa. Speakers called for stronger legal protections, safer technologies, and collective action to ensure journalists are not left to face these risks alone.
Journalism and Society Conversations
Exploring the double-edged impact of technology in spreading and combating misinformation, the July edition of WSCIJ’s Journalism and Society Conversations brought together experts to discuss the importance of keeping human judgment at the centre of fact-checking, building local solutions, and ensuring accountability in the age of AI.
ReportWomen Activities
Continuing its commitment to women’s rights in media, WSCIJ’s Report Women! programme invited investigative reporters to apply for the Champion Building support – a component of the Report Women! News and Newsroom Engagement project, supported by the Gates Foundation to advance story and leadership projects that held power accountable and amplified the voices of women and girls.
International Day Against Trafficking in Persons
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, WSCIJ called for stronger systems to combat human trafficking in Nigeria, highlighting the role of investigative journalism in exposing exploitation, holding perpetrators accountable, and supporting survivors.
August
Just like every other month, August was insightful at WSCIJ, as we launched a new policy brief, “A nation’s voice at the crossroads: An urgent call to defend Nigeria’s civic space and journalism,” based on findings from our 2023 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report, Hushed voices in an election year report.
ReportWomen! Activities
We convened mentors of the 6th Report Women! Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) virtually to review and support their mentees’ investigative story projects. The meetings focused on tracking progress, addressing challenges, and preparing the participants for the finalisation of their stories.
Later in August, 12 participants gathered for a virtual workshop, receiving hands-on guidance from their mentors on how to sharpen their investigative story projects ahead of their awards and induction as fellows. We also virtually onboarded seven journalists for the Report Women! Champion Building project.
Journalism and Society Conversations
In August, WSCIJ’s Journalism and Society Conversations highlighted the crucial role of local journalism in strengthening democracy, with experts discussing strategies to improve grassroots reporting, boost citizen engagement, and ensure governance coverage reflects the realities of all communities.
Civic Space Guard activities
Following review meetings in April, May, and July, WSCIJ convened stakeholders in August to validate the 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report, ensuring its findings on press freedom, digital media, and governance reflect ground realities.
September
Journalism and Society Conversations
Kicking off September, WSCIJ’s Journalism and Society Conversation reflected on two decades of the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR), exploring the risks, impact, and future of investigative journalism while setting the stage for this year’s award celebration.
Thereafter, we opened a call for applications for senior investigative journalists and editors to join the Civic Space Guard Holistic Safety Masterclass 2.0, a workshop geared towards equipping participants with practical skills to navigate the risks of investigative reporting safely and effectively.
6th ReportWomen! FRLP Fellowship induction and awards
September was a month of celebration and achievement as WSCIJ inducted 12 outstanding female journalists into the FRLP network, marking the successful completion of their six-month leadership journey. The ceremony not only recognised their dedication to investigative reporting but also honoured veteran broadcaster Bimbo Oloyede for 50 years in the media.
Front row, L-R: Chigozie Victor, Senior Editor, Zikoko Citizen; Dana Zagi, Gender Lead, Media Trust Group; Juliet Buna, Reporter and Editor, Crest 91.1FM; Jemilat Nasiru, Staff Writer, TheCabale; Bilkis Abdulraheem, Reporter and Editor, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (Bond FM); Temitope Obayendo, Online Editor, Pharmanews.
October
Nigeria @65
October opened with a sobering reflection on Nigeria’s democratic journey as WSCIJ convened its Independence Day Conversations to mark Nigeria’s 65th anniversary. Panellists warned that the promise of democracy remains incomplete without stronger protections for press freedom, the repeal of repressive laws, and collective action to defend civic space.
WSAIR Call for Applications
Momentum continued in October as WSCIJ opened the call for entries for the 20th Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting, marking two decades of celebrating courageous, impactful investigative journalism and inviting reporters across media platforms to submit their best accountability stories.
Journalism and Society Conversation
At the October edition of our Journalism and Society Conversation, we turned the spotlight on Nigeria’s proposed tax reforms, examining the role of transparency, communication, and public trust in shaping their success ahead of implementation this January.
International Day of the Girl Child
To mark the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, WSCIJ issued a press statement drawing attention to the structural barriers facing girls and the responsibility of the media in driving visibility, accountability, and change.
CMEDIA fund drives accountability and local journalism to 31 million Nigerians
Still in October, WSCIJ convened two powerful events in one day, each amplifying the impact of journalism on society. The first focused on strengthening local and collaborative reporting through the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) project, with the 26 partners reflecting on how WSCIJ, through the $5 million fund supported by the MacArthur Foundation, empowered journalists, fostered accountability, and reached over 31 million Nigerians.
Public presentation of 2024 Civic Space Status Report
Later the same day, we presented the 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report, shedding light on the threats to press freedom and civic space across the country. The report, titled Shrinking Freedoms, documented recurring violations targeting journalists and citizens alike, warning that Nigeria is “a step away from a closed civic space.
November
Masterclass on Holistic Safety 2.0
From 3-4 November, WSCIJ hosted a two-day Civic Space Guard Masterclass on Holistic Safety for Investigative Reporters in Lagos, equipping 18 investigative reporters and journalism lecturers from across Nigeria with practical skills, tools, and strategies to report safely and responsibly.
Journalism and Society Conversations
WSCIJ wrapped up the 2025 Journalism and Society Conversations with a session on “WSCIJ@20 – Beyond the Byline: What journalism owes the next generation.” During that conversation, panellists reflected on ethical journalism, mentorship, female representation, and responsible use of AI, highlighting how media can safeguard credibility, accountability, and public trust.
14 journalists shortlisted for the 20th WSAIR
From 184 entries, 14 journalists were shortlisted by the 2025 award judges board for the 20th edition of the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR).
2025 ReportHer Awards
In collaboration with Women Radio 91.7, WSCIJ honoured FRCN, NAN, Premium Times, and BoNews Service at the 2025 ReportHer Awards for promoting gender equity and women’s representation in Nigerian media. The awards recognise media organisations that foster inclusive workplaces, elevate female leadership, and produce gender-sensitive reporting, reinforcing the drive for fairness and diversity across newsrooms.
We also sponsored three Soyinka Laureates to attend the 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Network Conference in Malaysia, a gathering dedicated to strengthening global investigative reporting through advanced training and cross-border collaborations.
December
December marked a landmark moment for us at the WSCIJ as we hosted the fifth Amplify In-Depth Media Conference and Awards, celebrating 20 years of investigative journalism and the 20th Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR). Across two days, global media leaders, journalists, and civil society actors explored the future of truth, ethical AI use, mentorship, and sustaining public trust.
The event culminated in the 9 December 2025 event as WSCIJ celebrated 20 years of fearless journalism at the 20th Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR) in Lagos. The Centre honoured 14 outstanding journalists and recognised lifelong contributions from Odia Ofeimun and Justice Ayo Salami, while stakeholders reflected on the future of investigative reporting in a rapidly evolving digital era.
Closing Remarks
2025 has been a year of milestones as we marked 20 years of normalising accountability and celebrating fearless journalism. Throughout the year, we have celebrated, trained, and empowered journalists while advancing media ethics, accountability, and public-interest reporting.
We are grateful to our media and funding partners – The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, the Gates Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation whose support made these achievements possible.
WSCIJ looks forward to more partnerships, innovations, and impactful work in 2026 as we continue to strengthen journalism that serves the public good.
