By Morenike Taire

Emerging Nigerian journalists with less than five years work experience including interns, freelance journalists, part-time and full-time media professionals, are now opportuned to apply for the Adejumobi Adegbite Fellowship for Young Journalists, a one-year programme honouring the memory of the late journalist and US Consulate Lagos’ Information Specialist, who passed away in July 2023.

This is at the behest of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), with support from the US Consulate General in Lagos.

Organisers say the fellowship, which is open to early-career journalists with an interest in investigative, multimedia, and data-driven reporting, will empower 10 emerging journalists with no more than five years of experience in TV, radio, print, and online media, to develop investigative, multimedia, ethical journalism and data-driven reporting through workshops and mentorship.

The 10 successful fellows will receive mobile journalism tools, guidance, and mentorship to produce impactful public interest stories.

US Consulate Public Affairs Officer, Julie McKay in a statement, noted that Adegbite was an outstanding journalist and a valuable member of the US Consulate Public Diplomacy Section. “We’re grateful to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism for partnering with us to honour Adegbite’s legacy in this meaningful way and for inspiring the next generation of reporters to pursue journalism with integrity and excellence,” she said.

Applicants for the wholly Nigerian fellowship must be active, working journalists who are permanently resident in Nigeria and are not alumni or prior participants of any US government exchange programmes.

In addition, each must submit two investigative stories published in the 24 months preceding the submission deadline.

Short-listed candidates must be available to participate in the opening and closing sessions in Lagos, and two online sessions in between.

Applicants must email [email protected] on or before Monday, May 26, 2025 with supporting documents, including two investigative stories published in the 24 months preceding the submission deadline and a personal statement of not more than 1000 words examining what inspires them as a journalist, and how this fellowship can help them advance their career goals. A curriculum vitae must also accompany the application, the statement said.