The sustainability of journalism is dependent on the next generation of storytellers, a reality the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) is actively addressing. Conceived to bridge the gnawing knowledge and mentoring gap between student journalists and seasoned professionals in Nigeria, WSCIJ’s flagship student engagement initiative, Pro-Engage, is heading to the South-East region for its upcoming edition.
Under the sub-theme Journalism in Transition: Ethics, Innovation and Career Pathways, this two-day virtual training which will be held on Thursday 25, and Friday 26, June 2026, will provide emerging journalists with critical, real-world skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
This upcoming virtual training builds directly on the momentum of the highly successful Northern Nigeria edition held on April 22 and 23, 2026. The Northern training empowered over 62 students from key institutions, including the University of Abuja, University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, Bayero University Kano, Federal University of Kashere, and Federal Polytechnic Bida, strengthening their grasp of media ethics, investigative reporting, and public-interest storytelling.
A screenshot of participants after the first day of the Pro-Engage training on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
The Pro-Engage curriculum pairs the timeless core of journalism, ethics, with the rapidly evolving demands of the digital age. Pro-Engage offers an immersive, highly interactive experience featuring real-time debates, hands-on tool applications, and direct career mentorship.
- Day 1: Ethics and Social Responsibility: Participants will dive into core ethical frameworks and the media’s democratic role, testing their decision-making skills in a dynamic, group-led debate session.
- Day 2: Digital Tools & Career Pathways: The focus shifts entirely to modern innovation. Emerging journalists will analyze case studies of major investigative reports, participate in a hands-on data-gathering lab using advanced digital tools, and pitch their practical story outcomes for expert feedback. Day 2 wraps up with an exclusive Career Chat, giving students direct access to industry veterans to discuss navigating the media landscape.
Mentorship from Leading Industry Voices
The South-East Pro-Engage cohort will learn directly from two highly recognised media leaders:
- Motunrayo Alaka (Executive Director/CEO, WSCIJ) leading sessions on media ethics, press responsibility, and anchoring the career fireside chat.
- Kabir Yusuf (Seasoned Investigative Journalist) steering the practical masterclass on digital tools, data gathering, and modern investigative technologies.
Through Pro-Engage, WSCIJ continues its strategic mission to foster an accountable, robust, and technologically savvy investigative media ecosystem from the grassroots up. Selected departments, faculties, and emerging journalists from across the South-East have been invited to be part of this learning experience.
For more information and live updates, follow the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) on social media or visit wscij.org.
