After a quarter marked with conversations that challenged assumptions, programmes that strengthened capacity, and engagements that brought critical issues into public focus, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) took a deliberate pause to reflect.
The Centre convened an energiser retreat on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, bringing together the WSCIJ team to review activities from the first quarter and set priority areas for improvement, and how best to respond to the evolving realities of the media landscape.
In the first quarter of the year, we drove a range of initiatives across our core programme areas, including Journalism and Society Conversations, Civic Space Guard, Report Women, the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity and Accountability (MEDIA) Project, and the Journalists’ Timeout. Across these programmes, WSCIJ convened nine major engagements, including public symposiums, conversations, trainings, a courtesy visit and an award presentation, alongside three press statements addressing critical issues such as social justice and gender equality. In total, these activities reached 3,097 participants.
Discussions during the retreat focused on consolidating these gains while identifying practical ways to strengthen internal systems, improve coordination, refine documentation processes, and sharpen fundraising and communications strategies for greater impact.
In a session on organisational direction, Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), WSCIJ, emphasised the importance of clarity in purpose and alignment across programmes, noting that a strong understanding of the Centre’s mission and values is essential to delivering meaningful outcomes. She also highlighted WSCIJ’s strategic models as adaptable frameworks for programme delivery and stressed the need to translate organisational priorities into clear, measurable actions.
The Energiser Retreat also featured sessions by some team members to streamline institutional efficiency. Stefan Akinnimi, Technology and Innovation Officer, detailed WSCIJ’s technology policies, emphasising collective responsibility in cybersecurity to protect the organisation’s digital assets from external threats. Also, Aderonke Adedokun, the Finance Officer, facilitated a session on WSCIJ’s finance procedures and individual tax filing requirements.
Looking ahead, Mariam Alo, Programmes Officer, presented the roadmap for Q2–Q4, detailing upcoming initiatives, which are designed to sustain the Centre’s impact. Complementing this, Confidence Ojuh, Communications Officer, shared a strategic communications plan for the second quarter, with a focus on enhancing WSCIJ’s visibility and reinforcing its role as a primary resource for media excellence in Nigeria.
As WSCIJ moves into the next phase of the year, the focus remains on sustaining the momentum of Q1 with stronger collaboration, improved systems, and a clearer strategic direction. Through its programmes and engagements, WSCIJ continues to strengthen journalism as a tool for accountability, support media practitioners, and contribute to a more informed and engaged society.
