The United States of America (USA) Consulate and the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) have unveiled the Adejumobi Adegbite Fellowship for young journalists in the country.
To this end, the FIJ has started accepting applications for the Adejumobi Adegbite Fellowship for Young Journalists.
The one-year programme is in honour of the memory of Adegbite, the late journalist and USA Consulate Lagos information specialist who passed away in July 2023.
With support from the USA Consulate General in Lagos, the fellowship is open to early-career journalists with an interest in investigative, multimedia, and data-driven reporting.
A statement issued by the consulate and made available to Maritime Bits said FIJ goal for the fellowship is to empower 10 emerging journalists with not more than five years of experience in television, radio, print and online media to develop investigative, multimedia, ethical journalism and data-driven reporting through workshops and mentorship.
According to the statement, the 10 successful fellows will receive mobile journalism tools, guidance, and mentorship to produce impactful public interest stories. USA Consulate Public Affairs Officer, Julie McKay noted that Adegbite was an outstanding journalist and a valuable member of the USA Consulate Public Diplomacy Section.
Continuing, it said: “We are grateful to the foundation for investigative journalism for partnering with us to honour Adegbite’s legacy in this meaningful way and for inspiring the next generation of reporters to pursue journalism with integrity and excellence.”
Among other things, the criteria said the fellowship is open only to emerging Nigerian journalists with less than five years work experience. Interns, freelance journalists, part-time and full-time media professionals are eligible.
It also said: “This is a wholly Nigerian fellowship. Applicants must be active working journalists who are permanently resident in Nigeria and are not alumni or prior participants of any USA government exchange programmes. Each journalist must submit two investigative stories published in the 24 months preceding the submission deadline. Entries that include features, analyses, and op-eds will be disqualified”.
It also stated that only short-listed candidates must be available to participate in the opening and closing sessions in Lagos and two online sessions in between.
According to the statement, applicants are to email the following to programmes@fij.ng on or before Monday, May 26, 2025. Two investigative stories published in the 24 months preceding the submission deadline. A personal statement of not more than 1000 words examining what inspires you as a journalist, and how this fellowship can help you advance your career goals.
