US Mission, Fisayo Soyombo-led FIJ Launch Fellowship to Empower Nigeria’s Next-Gen Watchdog Journalists

ByEditor

Aug 12, 2025 #Adejumobi Adegbite Fellowship for Young Journalists, #Consul General Rick Swart, #FIJ, #Fisayo Soyombo, #Foundation for Investigative Journalism, #United States Consulate General Lagos

Segun Atanda/

The United States Consulate General in Lagos has unveiled a new year-long fellowship aimed at empowering Nigeria’s emerging public interest journalists, marking a powerful collaboration with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) led by acclaimed investigative reporter, Fisayo Soyombo.

In a press statement shared on social media, Consul General Rick Swart highlighted press freedom as the backbone of democratic accountability and introduced the Adejumobi Adegbite Fellowship for Young Journalists.

Named after Adejumobi Adegbite—a respected journalist and U.S. Consulate Information Specialist who passed away in July 2023—the fellowship is designed to support early-career reporters committed to integrity and public service.

The initiative will equip 10 fellows with mobile journalism tools, mentorship, and training in investigative, data-driven, and multimedia storytelling over the next 12 months .

Fisayo Soyombo, founder of FIJ, plays a central role in implementing the fellowship.

Swart praised Soyombo—himself an alumnus of US government exchange programmes —for his commitment to investigating corruption and mentoring young journalists, aligning their mission with the Consulate’s belief in the importance of a free and vibrant press .

FIJ, established by Soyombo in 2020, has become a leading watchdog organisation in Nigeria, producing investigative stories that have led to real-world change—such as police refunds on extortion and airline compensation to defrauded customers.

Its credibility and impact underscore why the Adegbite Fellowship is expected to nurture a new generation of journalists equipped to uphold democracy.

Applications for the inaugural class were highly competitive, with over 80 hopefuls from across the country submitting entries. Only ten were selected from cities including Yobe and Ibadan.

Participants will attend quarterly in-person workshops in Lagos, supplemented with virtual sessions, and receive continuous mentorship throughout the fellowship duration .

This fellowship stands as a fitting tribute to Adegbite’s legacy and a reaffirmation of the US Mission and FIJ’s shared dedication to empowering journalists who report with courage, ethics, and public accountability.