The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and the School of Media and Communication (SMC), Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos have unveiled the PIND Media Fellows Programme for narrative change in the Niger Delta.
The PIND Executive Director, Mr Sam Daibo, said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, that the six-month fellowship was designed to strengthen development journalism and broaden reporting on the region.
According to him, the fellowship combined specialised training, field exposure and mentorship to support independent, evidence-based development journalism
He said that the inaugural cohort comprised six journalists, editors and media storytellers.
“They will receive specialised training, field exposure and editorial mentorship, alongside access to development evidence and communities across the Niger Delta.
”Fellows will independently produce stories examining solutions, innovation, enterprise, partnerships and measurable development outcomes in the region.
”The programme began with a five-day residential Impact Journalism Academy, holding from Nov. 2 to Nov. 6, at SMC in Lagos.
”As the first stage of the fellowship, the academy will strengthen participants’ skills in development reporting.
“It will also help in solutions journalism, impact storytelling, ethical interviewing, multimedia production and evidence-based reporting.”
Daibo said the programme responded to the limited media attention given to development solutions and progress across the Niger Delta.
“The Niger Delta’s challenges must be reported honestly, but they should not be its only story.
”Across the region, communities, businesses and development partners are advancing solutions in peacebuilding, agriculture, youth employment, renewable energy and economic inclusion.
“This fellowship will help journalists examine those efforts critically, independently and with the depth they deserve,” Daibo said.
He emphasised that the program is designed to strengthen journalism—not prescribe favourable coverage.
“Our role is to give journalists greater access to evidence, communities and development practice while respecting their editorial independence.
“Credible development reporting must remain rigorous, balanced and accountable to the public,” he added.
According to him, following the Academy, fellows will participate in field immersion, develop reporting pitches and receive editorial mentorship.
“The initiative marks a shift from one-off media engagement towards sustained investment in journalists and newsrooms.
“Through successive cohorts, PIND and SMC aim to build a network of media professionals capable of producing more balanced, evidence-driven, and solutions-focused reporting on the Niger Delta.”
The Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, said the partnership would equip fellows to move beyond activity-based reporting.
According to him, it will also help examine the substance and results of development interventions.
“Development journalism requires more than reporting activities.
“Journalists must be able to interrogate evidence, understand systems, centre community voices and determine whether interventions are producing meaningful change.
“Our partnership with PIND combines these skills with practical reporting tools that fellows can apply in their newsrooms and field assignments,” Obiaya said.
