DevReporting and PDM-Network Choose 8 Journalists for Urban Issues Reporting in Lagos

DevReporting, working alongside the Pro-Poor Development Media (PDM) Network, has recently chosen eight journalists to partake in a project focused on exploring critical urban challenges impacting communities in Lagos State, with backing from the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC).

The selection process involved a rigorous evaluation of proposals submitted by journalists from various media channels, including print, broadcast, and digital platforms.

The selected journalists comprise Melony Ishola, Head of Programmes at PUNCH Videos; freelance editor Eric Dumo; Juliana Francis, who is the Publisher of SecurityNewsAlert; Samson Ademola, Programme Manager and Associate Editor at DevReporting; Israel Eferobor, Correspondent for News Central TV; Folashade Ogunrinde, Investigative Reporter at Premium Times; Gbenga Salau, Assistant News Editor at Weekend, The Guardian; and Nafiu Atanda, Contributor at Know Your City (KYC) TV.

Mojeed Alabi, the Team Lead and Editor-in-Chief of DevReporting, stated that the selected journalists possess diverse backgrounds in print, broadcast, digital, and investigative journalism, equipping them to produce influential and accountability-driven stories.

During a month-long reporting phase, these journalists will develop comprehensive, evidence-based narratives centered on essential topics such as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), resilience against climate change, evictions, housing shortages, and various systemic urban pressures. Their stories will highlight the actual experiences of the communities, integrating research from the ACRC along with relevant data and analysis.

To enhance storytelling quality, the journalists will attend a one-day capacity building workshop scheduled for Thursday, 5 March 2026, in Lagos. This workshop will provide valuable insights on research methodologies, editorial guidance, and practical advice on how to adapt academic findings into engaging public-interest journalism.

Mr. Alabi remarked that the initiative aims to bridge the divide between research and public engagement.

He emphasized, "The urban challenges faced in Lagos are complex and deeply entrenched. By fostering a more intentional connection between researchers and journalists, we aspire to produce narratives that enhance public comprehension and encourage reflective policy discussions."

This project is executed by DevReporting in partnership with the PDM-Network, with the support of ACRC, seeking to bolster evidence-based journalism concerning structural urban issues that affect vulnerable groups in Lagos.

DevReporting is a specialized media platform dedicated to development reporting, while the PDM-Network advocates for pro-poor sensitivity in governance and policy, focusing on addressing multidimensional poverty in Nigeria.

The African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC), coordinated by the University of Manchester, collaborates within a research consortium aimed at improving quality of life in rapidly expanding African cities through action-oriented and politically relevant research.