- TheRadar’s Nchetachi Chukwuajah is among the 14 journalists selected to participate in DevReporting’s Education Accountability Reporting project in Oyo State
- The 14 successful participants were drawn from a pool of about 40 journalists whose pitches were received before the deadline set for the application
- The reporting project is part of ongoing efforts to improve girls’ enrolment, retention, and completion of secondary education in Oyo State
Nchetachi Chukwuajah, a reporter with TheRadar, has been selected as one of the 14 journalists across print, online, and broadcast media to participate in DevReporting’s story project on the education sector in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria.
This is according to a statement signed by DevReporting’s Programme Manager, Samson Ademola.
Ademola said the initiative is implemented in partnership with Education As a Vaccine (EVA) and supported by the Malala Fund, as part of ongoing efforts to improve girls’ enrolment, retention, and completion of secondary education in Oyo State.
According to the statement, the 14 successful participants were drawn from a pool of about 40 journalists whose pitches were received before the deadline set for the application.
The newspaper had, in September, asked journalists based in Oyo State or other nearby states to submit compelling story ideas exploring transparency and accountability in education financing, gender-responsive planning and budgeting, barriers to girls’ education, and citizens’ role in education planning and monitoring.
“This project focuses on investigating how funding, citizen participation, and gender policies contribute to learning outcomes and access to quality education, particularly for girls,” the statement noted.
The selected journalists are Nchetachi Chukwuajah of TheRadar, Bilkis Abdulraheem of Radio Nigeria, Quadri Adejumo of Techparley Africa, Oluwakemi Adelagun of Premium Times, Christiana Alabi-Akande of DevReporting, Juliet Buna of Crest TV, Fatimah Hamid of Ripples Nigeria, Sodiq Mojibola of DevReporting, Funmi Ogundare of ThisDay, Oluseye Ojo of The Sun, Yomi Okanlawon of Business Metrics, David Olatunji of Lagos Voice, Gbenga Oyetola of Oyomind, and Adedokun Theophilus of African Angle.
‘Many of the selected journalists are multiple award winners’
According to Mr Ademola, many of the selected journalists are multiple award winners with years of experience reporting on development issues for local and international media platforms.
The statement added that DevReporting and EVA will host a virtual briefing session on Friday, 7 November, with the selected journalists to support the delivery of impactful stories.
During the session, they will be guided on the project’s objectives, reporting expectations, and the editorial and logistical support available.
It stated that over a three-week reporting period, the journalists will produce in-depth reports that highlight challenges and opportunities in the education sector. DevReporting will provide continuous guidance throughout the reporting process to ensure the production of high-quality, evidence-based stories.
DevReporting stories to engage policymakers, other stakeholders in Oyo
Speaking on the initiative, Mr Ademola stated that the stories will serve as a tool for engagement with critical stakeholders in Oyo State.
“At DevReporting, we see journalism as a bridge between evidence and action. The stories emerging from this project will serve as a tool to engage policymakers and other stakeholders in Oyo State on how to make education financing and planning more inclusive, equitable, and accountable,” Mr Ademola said.
DevReporting is a niche media and cinematic platform focusing on development reporting, while Education As a Vaccine (EVA) is a youth-focused non-profit organisation committed to improving access to quality education and promoting gender equality, with support from the Malala Fund.
We have returned 4 million out-of-school children to the classroom, Education Minister Mamman says
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister for Education, said that the Federal Government’s programme has now returned four million out-of-school children to their classrooms.
The minister disclosed this in a statement that was made through the acting National Universities Commission (NUC) Executive Secretary, Ambassador Chris Maiyaki, who represented him at the 2nd International Conference of Kwara State Universities (KU8+), which focused on “Shaping Sustainable Future: Connecting University and Industries Through Joint Initiatives.”
