Today, 20 February 2025, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) joins the global community in marking the World Day of Social Justice. This year’s theme, “Strengthening a just transition for a sustainable future,” stresses the urgent need for economic and environmental transformation that prioritises fairness, equity and inclusion.
As the world shifts to low-carbon economies, the media plays a crucial role in exposing injustices, ensuring accountability and amplifying marginalised voices. A just transition cannot happen without access to accurate, in-depth and investigative journalism that highlights systemic gaps, holds leaders accountable and informs policies that protect vulnerable communities.
At WSCIJ, we recognise the power of journalism in shaping policies that address social and economic inequalities. Our work challenges exclusionary narratives, advocates for inclusive governance, and equips journalists with the tools to report with depth and nuance. Through our initiatives, we are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.
Our commissioned reports have exposed the plights of oil-rich communities whose waters have been polluted, rendering them unable to fish sustainably while dealing with severe health consequences. At the 19th edition of the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting, we honoured two journalists, Jemilat Nasiru and Ibrahim Mansur, both of TheCable, among 13 others for their two-part investigative work on the impact of electronic waste on the environment and public health. A recent investigative report supported by WSCIJ and aired on TVC News under our Collaborative Media Engagement for Development, Inclusivity and Accountability (CMEDIA) revealed the severe threats climate change poses to Lagos coastline communities, particularly those already marginalised.
The transition to a low-carbon economy will impact Nigeria’s employment landscape, where the national unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in the second quarter of 2024, with youth unemployment at 6.5% and post-secondary graduates at 9.0%. A just transition requires deliberate efforts to bridge inequalities in access to opportunities, resources, and representation. With 136 stories and 138 leadership projects, our Report Women! Programme continues to challenge gender-based exclusion. A 2022 report by Funmi Ogundare of ThisDay Newspaper under this initiative examined how policies can protect female mechanics from workplace harassment and how survivors can assert boundaries to prevent further violations.
Journalists and media professionals must continue to spotlight the realities of workers, indigenous groups and disadvantaged communities affected by environmental and economic shifts. Stronger investigative reporting, fact-based storytelling and accountability journalism will ensure that sustainability policies are implemented with justice at their core.
As the world marks this year’s World Day of Social Justice, WSCIJ calls on journalists, media houses, and policymakers to strengthen their commitment to transparency, equity and social inclusion. A truly sustainable future can only be achieved when justice is embedded in every step of the transition.
Signed
WSCIJ Team
