The Nigerian media environment has been shaping its presence with cutting-edge approaches and profound insights, and no initiative exemplifies this trend better than the BudgIT GovSpend Media Fellowship Program. Launching its 2023 cohort, the fellowship invites investigative journalists to delve into financial and governance topics, offering a chance to elevate their careers while fostering transparency and accountability within Nigeria.
A Fellowship with a History of Impact
The BudgIT GovSpend Media Fellowship Program is not a new name among media professionals in Nigeria. Established in 2017, the fellowship has since become a beacon for journalists striving to write compelling stories on pertinent subjects such as budget access, project tracking, use of extractive revenues, social justice, anti-corruption, open governments, and transparency. BudgIT’s unique platform has provided a stage for these narratives, supporting them with real-time data.
Fellowship Structure
This exclusive fellowship aims to identify and train 12 media fellows, two from each of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Over the span of three months, from September to November 2023, these selected individuals will be guided to explore and scrutinise spending through the gov spend platform. The ultimate goal is to uncover the value for money or corruption cases that may have transpired during the procurement process.
The 12 investigative stories that emerge from this fellowship will be broadcasted via the medium by which the fellows work, amplifying their voice and impact.
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Benefits and Training Sessions
The fellowship comes laden with incentives and training opportunities:
- Monthly Stipend: A financial aid of N200,000 will be provided to cover story coverage and logistics.
- Engagements with Stakeholders: Regular rounds of interaction with stakeholders will be held to gain feedback and support.
- Workshops and Sessions: The BudgIT team will conduct sessions on Centring People in Your Stories, Storytelling for Journalists, Making Sense of the Data, Data Visualisation Tools, and Multimedia Storytelling.
Eligibility Criteria
The doors of this fellowship are open to:
- Investigative/media journalists from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
- Applicants interested in writing on topics such as budget access, project tracking, use of extractive revenues, social justice, anti-corruption, open governments, and transparency.
Application Process and Deadline
The application process is as streamlined as it is promising. Winners will be announced on August 28, 2023, with fellows informed in advance to ensure media materials are provided for the announcement. The Govspend Media Fellowship session for the 2023 cohort will commence in September 2023 and conclude in November 2023.
For more detailed information, visit GovSpend Media Fellowship.
Deadline for application: August 15, 2023
The BudgIT GovSpend Media Fellowship Program 2023 represents an ambitious step towards cultivating a new generation of journalists who are not only skilled but also deeply committed to the principles of justice, transparency, and integrity. This is an opportunity that seeks to redefine not just the professional trajectory of individual journalists but the entire landscape of Nigerian media. If you are a journalist who shares these values, this is your call to action. Apply today and become part of this transformative journey.
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