DevReporting, in collaboration with the Pro-Poor Development Media (PDM) Network, has selected eight journalists to participate in a special reporting project examining pressing urban challenges affecting communities across Lagos State, in an initiative designed to strengthen evidence-driven journalism on systemic city problems.
The selection followed a competitive review process evaluating story pitches submitted by journalists from print, broadcast, and digital media platforms. The project is implemented with support from the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC).
Selected Journalists Bring Diverse Expertise
The chosen journalists represent a cross-section of Nigeria’s media landscape, bringing experience from major news organisations and specialised reporting backgrounds.
The selected cohort includes Melony Ishola, Head of Programmes at PUNCH Videos; Eric Dumo, a freelance editor; Juliana Francis, Publisher of SecurityNewsAlert; and Samson Ademola, Programme Manager and Associate Editor at DevReporting. Also selected are Israel Eferobor, Correspondent for News Central TV; Folashade Ogunrinde, Investigative Reporter at Premium Times; Gbenga Salau, Assistant News Editor (Weekend) at The Guardian; and Nafiu Atanda, Contributor to Know Your City (KYC) TV.
Mojeed Alabi, Team Lead and Editor-in-Chief of DevReporting, said the selected journalists bring valuable experience across multiple platforms.
“The journalists represent a wealth of experience across print, broadcast, digital, and investigative journalism, positioning them to deliver impactful and accountability-driven stories,” Alabi said.
Focus Areas: From WASH to Housing Gaps
Over a one-month reporting period, the journalists will produce in-depth, evidence-based stories examining critical urban challenges. The reporting will focus on key thematic areas including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), climate resilience, evictions, housing gaps, and other systemic urban pressures affecting Lagos communities.
The stories will centre on lived community experiences while integrating research, data, and analytical insights provided by the African Cities Research Consortium.
Capacity Building to Strengthen Reporting
To support quality reporting, the journalists will participate in a one-day capacity development workshop scheduled for Thursday, 5 March 2026, in Lagos. The workshop will provide research briefings, editorial direction, and practical guidance on translating academic findings into compelling public-interest journalism.
Alabi emphasised that the initiative aims to address the gap between research production and public engagement.
“Urban challenges in Lagos are complex and deeply rooted,” he said. “By connecting researchers and journalists more intentionally, we aim to produce stories that inform public understanding and stimulate policy reflection.”
Partnership Background
The project is implemented by DevReporting in partnership with the Pro-Poor Development Media Network (PDM-Network), with support from the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC). Its primary objective is to strengthen evidence-driven journalism that examines structural urban issues affecting vulnerable populations in Lagos.
DevReporting is a specialised media and cinematic platform focused on development reporting, producing content that highlights critical social and urban issues through a journalistic and documentary lens.
The Pro-Poor Development Media Network (PDM-Network) works to promote pro-poor consciousness in governance and public policy, with a broader commitment to addressing multidimensional poverty across Nigeria.
The African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) , led by the University of Manchester, is a research partnership dedicated to improving living standards in fast-growing African cities through action-oriented, politically informed research and engagement.
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