CJID HOSTS SOUTHWEST CAMPUS REPORTER CLINIC AT OAU, TRAINS STUDENT JOURNALISTS

CJID HOSTS SOUTHWEST CAMPUS REPORTER CLINIC AT OAU, TRAINS STUDENT JOURNALISTS

By Goodness Olope

Student journalists from three universities in southwest Nigeria gathered at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, for a three-day campus reporter clinic organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development.

The clinic was aimed at strengthening ethical, investigative, and data-driven reporting skills among young reporters.

The training, which began on March 24, was held at the Social Sciences Boardroom of Obafemi Awolowo University and brought together participants from Osun State University and Fountain University, alongside students of OAU.

A total of 43 students participated in the programme, with 23 from OAU, three from Fountain University, and nine from Osun State University.

The programme commenced with an online session on Sunday, March 22, introducing participants to the objectives of the training and the CJID Next-Gen Campus Reporter initiative. The session also featured a fact-checking class facilitated by Lois Ugbede, an editor at Dubawa.

This was followed by in-person sessions during the week, where facilitators engaged participants in intensive hands-on learning.

Throughout the clinic, participants were trained in key areas of modern journalism, including media ethics, investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, presentation skills, fact-checking, political literacy and data-driven journalism.

Facilitators emphasised accuracy, accountability, and the role of student journalists in holding institutions to account.

Sessions also explored critical themes such as gender sensitivity and disability inclusion in reporting, highlighting the need for more inclusive and representative storytelling.

Participants were further equipped with safety tips and practical strategies for navigating challenges in campus journalism.

Experienced media professionals led the sessions, offering guidance on interviewing techniques, source mapping, investigative reporting, and the effective use of digital tools for storytelling.

A participant engages a facilitator during an interactive session at the clinic.

A major highlight of the clinic was the group story ideation and presentation sessions, where participants worked in teams to develop and pitch story ideas addressing issues within their campuses and surrounding communities. These ideas were reviewed by facilitators, who provided feedback to refine them.

The clinic concluded with final presentations, interactive discussions, and guidance on publishing opportunities through the CJID Campus Reporter platform.

Participants shared positive assessments of the training. Victor Oyewole of Osun State University described the clinic as both challenging and rewarding, saying it helped him develop practical reporting skills while deepening his appreciation for inclusive storytelling.

“It has been impactful and educational in many ways, helping me unlearn and relearn,” Prosperity Olajire of Obafemi Awolowo University said.

A facilitator addresses participants during one of the sessions at the CJID clinic, OAU.

Another participant, Yaacoub Ibrahim, said the clinic broadened his understanding of journalism’s possibilities. “It opened my eyes to an aspect of journalism I’d previously overlooked, investigative reporting, and showed me how to stand out as a trained journalist by focusing on impactful, public-interest stories,” he said.

Facilitators at the training included Busola Ajibola;deputy director for the Journalism programme at CJID, Idris Akinbajo; managing editor at Premium Times newspaper and Kabir Adejumo; researcher at Good Governance Africa, among others.

The initiative forms part of CJID’s broader effort to build the capacity of emerging journalists and promote responsible, impactful reporting across Nigerian campuses and the society at large.