Professor Umaru Pate, immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Kashere and Professor of Communication at Bayero University, Kano, will deliver the keynote address at the 18th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series scheduled for July 13, 2026, in Lagos.
The annual event, organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), is themed “Beyond the Ballot: Measuring Democracy Through Security, Welfare, Accountability and Public Trust.” The programme will also feature the public presentation of the WSCIJ 2025 Journalism & Civic Space Status Report, which will be reviewed by Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa, a Professor of Public Law at the University of Lagos.
Shifting Focus from Elections to Democratic Outcomes
According to the organisers, the lecture comes at a critical period as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle, with discussions expected to move beyond electoral processes and focus on whether democratic governance is delivering tangible benefits to citizens.
The event will explore key indicators of democratic performance, including security, welfare, accountability, and public trust, while examining how governance outcomes impact the quality of life and citizen confidence in democratic institutions.
Keynote Address and Democracy Delivery Conversation
The programme will feature a keynote lecture by Professor Pate, followed by the Democracy Delivery Conversation, a high-level dialogue bringing together journalists, academics, policymakers, and civil society actors.
Discussions are expected to focus on the role of journalism in monitoring governance outcomes, strengthening public accountability, and promoting meaningful democratic participation. Participants will also assess how media practitioners can contribute to sustaining transparency and citizen engagement in governance processes.
Presentation of Journalism and Civic Space Report
A major highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the WSCIJ 2025 Journalism & Civic Space Status Report, a publication that continues the organisation’s long-term documentation of the state of journalism and civic freedoms in Nigeria.
The report builds on previous editions, including “Hushed Voices and the Media’s Defence of Civic Space (2012–2022),” “Hushed Voices in an Election Year (2023),” and “Shrinking Freedoms (2024).”
Through evidence-based research and stakeholder engagement, the report examines developments affecting media freedom, civic participation, and public accountability, while identifying emerging opportunities and challenges for democratic governance in Nigeria.
Honouring Wole Soyinka’s Legacy
The lecture series is held annually on July 13 to commemorate the birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, Grand Patron of WSCIJ, who turns 92 years old this year.
For nearly two decades, the Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series has served as a platform for leading voices in journalism, governance, academia, and civil society to advance conversations on democracy, accountability, investigative reporting, and civic engagement.
A Platform for National Reflection
The organisers said the event will convene journalists, academics, policymakers, civil society leaders, development partners, students, and citizens to reflect on one of the most pressing questions facing Nigeria and democracies around the world.
In a statement signed by Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of WSCIJ, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening investigative journalism, protecting civic space, and promoting democratic participation.
“The event will bring together diverse stakeholders to reflect on one of the most pressing questions confronting Nigeria and democracies around the world: beyond elections, how should democratic performance be measured?” Alaka stated.
The 2026 edition is expected to deepen conversations on governance effectiveness and reinforce the importance of accountability, transparency, and public trust as essential measures of democratic success.
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