Deadline: October 10, 2025
Applications are open for the Strengthening Community Journalism and Human Rights Advocacy in Northern Nigeria (SCOJA) Fellowship 2026. With the aim of promoting accountability for human rights violations in rural contexts and locally-led solutions to various gaps in Northern Nigeria, the Fellowship will empower community journalists with techniques to improve hyperlocal reporting and advocacy.
They are targeting community journalists and advocates in Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna and Kano states. The Fellowship will consist of a 3-day training held in 3 focal states, Kaduna, Plateau and Borno and a 6-month post-training period for fellows to produce stories and engage in advocacy activities.
Training topics will include, but are not limited to:
- Human rights and advocacy
- Digital safety and physical security for journalists and activists
- Techniques for reporting on SGBV
- Accountability reporting and investigative journalism
- Climate Change Reporting and Advocacy
- Conflict-sensitive reporting
- Collaborating with CBOs, government representatives and development partners
- Solutions reporting
- Inclusive storytelling
- Data-driven journalism and civic engagement
- Approaches to Mobilising and Inspiring Action
- Countering misinformation and disinformation in various contexts
- Press freedom and navigating legal challenges
Benefits
- Mentorship for the duration of the Fellowship
- Support in the development of reports and advocacy activities
- Acquisition of skills in advocacy, innovative approaches to reporting, fact-checking and security/safety training.
- Networking and peer-to-peer learning
- Stipend for the duration of the Fellowship
Eligibility
Open to:
- Journalists and advocates whose work focuses on specific communities, towns or states.
- Journalists and advocates who reside in any of the target states.
- Journalists and advocates with a strong interest in community-led change and stakeholder engagement.
- Journalists and advocates who are willing to commit to 6-months of consistent engagement in the Fellowship, producing reports and engaging with various stakeholders.
- Women are highly encouraged to apply.
Expectation of Fellows
- Commitment to attend a 3-day training in any of the focal states (Kaduna, Borno and Plateau).
- Monthly reports on activities development/execution for 6 months.
- At least 3 reports and 1 significant advocacy initiative produced during the Fellowship
- Participation in all surveys, data collection activities and virtual sessions.
- Step-down training to colleagues in their respective organisations.
Application
For more information, visit SCOJA Fellowship.
