Call for application for Story Support: Strengthening Local Accountability (CMEDIA 2026)

April 16, 2026

The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) is pleased to announce a call for application for story support under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity, and Accountability (CMEDIA) project.

This initiative is designed to empower sub-national and local journalists to dig deeper into the issues that affect the heartbeat of Nigeria, our local communities. We are looking for investigative story projects that move beyond the headlines to provide the evidence needed for true institutional change.

Over the years, WSCIJ has stood at the forefront of investigative excellence in Nigeria. Through the CMEDIA project and our RUSH – Report Until Something Happens – model, we have supported several stories that have moved the needle on governance and other core social issues.

As you prepare your proposal, we encourage you to explore our past supported stories and project impact on the CMEDIA website to understand the depth and rigour we prioritise.

What We Are Looking For

Applicants are expected to propose investigative story projects that satisfy the following criteria:

Local Governance & Service Delivery: Address pressing local issues, including public spending, human rights, the environment, health, education, and social justice.
The Local Lens on National Policy: Interrogate national decisions or trends by clearly demonstrating how broader systemic issues manifest in specific local populations.
Amplify Underreported Voices: Ensure that affected communities and marginalised groups are not just represented but meaningfully heard.
Accountability Potential: Proposals must show clear potential for outcomes, whether by exposing wrongdoing, highlighting implementation gaps, or prompting institutional responses.
Evidence-Driven & Feasible: Projects must be realistically executable within the programme timeline, supported by identifiable sources and accessible data points.
Depth & Originality: We value fresh insights into recurring issues, moving beyond surface-level reporting to provide essential context.
Sustainability: Stories should have the potential for follow-up and impact tracking, sustaining engagement long after the initial publication.

Timeline & Submission