The Patriot Institute of Journalism and Arts (PIJA) Foundation, a nonprofit organisation and the developmental institute of PIJAlance Magazine Limited, is dedicated to advancing investigative journalism, civic education, and community development. Recently, the Foundation organised a workshop that trained 98 participants in Ibadan and Ogbomoso, two significant cities in Oyo State, focusing on issues about budgeting, accountability, and transparency.
Titled “Accountability and Community Investigation,” this workshop was a component of the GovTracker Fellowship Program, facilitated by the Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative. The workshop received valuable support from various organisations, including the European Partnerships for Democracy, ALDA, People In Need, WYDE Civic Engagement, and Elbarlament. These organisations collectively seek to enhance government accountability and foster community development through the promotion of budgeting, transparency, and project monitoring.
The GovTracker Fellowship is a nationwide capacity-building initiative managed by various fellows across all 36 states of Nigeria. As an organisation operating in Oyo State, the PIJA Foundation took the lead in implementing this initiative, extending it to multiple cities beyond the stipulated requirement.
The inaugural training workshop commenced in Ogbomoso on May 10, 2025, followed by a subsequent session at the University of Ibadan on June 13, where a total of 98 participants were trained out of over 200 applicants who registered. Ogechukwu Promise, the program coordinator, noted that the workshops included approximately 52 participants in Ogbomoso and 46 in Ibadan, comprising student journalists, activists, and community members from various regions of the state.
Both events in Ogbomoso and Ibadan featured several esteemed speakers, including Bolaji Olaniyi, a Pan-Africanist and founder of Hope Foundation, and Folaranmi Ajayi, an experienced education analyst and investigative journalist. Additionally, Enoch Oyedibu, Investigative Journalist, the Executive Director of the PIJA Foundation and a GovTracker Fellow, led the sessions.
These workshops took place at strategically selected locations across Oyo State, equipping over selected participants with essential knowledge on the subject matter. The first session in Ogbomoso concentrated on community members, media professionals, journalists, civil society groups, and students from LAUTECH. The objective was to empower them to recognise their rights and advocate for community development through transparent governmental practices and active participation.
The second training at the University of Ibadan was equally successful, attracting a diverse audience including student union representatives, community members, campus journalists, and local activists. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions related to budgeting, transparency, and accountability regarding public funds. They were also introduced to digital project tracking tools aimed at enhancing governmental accountability for community projects.
Attendees expressed gratitude for the workshop, describing it as “exceptional” and inquiring about future programs that could further their understanding of civic issues and responsible engagement as journalists and community advocates.
When some of the participants asked about the continuity of the training program, Oyedibu said though the Foundation requires serious funding to push across all of its initiatives on community development and investigative journalism, “It is part of our visions to ensure we continue this training in the future. Especially, in Oyo State and Nigeria where there is virtually zero accountability when it comes to the use of public funds. The public needs to be aware of how and that’s where our role as an organisation comes in, to educate them, help them amplify their stories through PIJAlance Magazine and also empower them.”
One of the Ogbomoso participants, Mr. Yinka Olatunji, Director of CEHUWEI and a development worker, expressed his appreciation for the training, highlighting the significant insights he acquired regarding accountability and transparency. He also commended the PIJA Foundation for bringing such an initiative to Ogbomoso, describing it as “maiden”.
“We have heard these kind of training programs being organised in Lagos, Abuja but never have we had the opportunity to host it here in Ogbomoso. This should be the first. Thank you and I hope this continues.”
Meanwhile, during the workshop, Oyedibu launched the GovTracker Toolkits and pledged to distribute electronic copies of these toolkits, along with other resources from the workshop, to all registered participants.
