Deadline: October 10, 2025
Are you a passionate journalist or human rights advocate working in Northern Nigeria? The SCOJA Fellowship 2026 is now open for applications! This unique opportunity is designed to empower community journalists with the skills, tools, and networks they need to drive accountability and amplify human rights issues at the grassroots level.
The SCOJA Fellowship 2026 aims to strengthen community journalism and human rights advocacy by building the capacity of local journalists to report effectively, safely, and impactfully on critical issues affecting their communities.
About the SCOJA Fellowship 2026
The Strengthening Community Journalism and Human Rights Advocacy (SCOJA) Fellowship is a strategic programme focused on promoting accountability for human rights violations in rural contexts across Northern Nigeria. It brings together selected community journalists and advocates for intensive training and mentorship, equipping them to produce high-quality, hyperlocal reports and lead community-based advocacy initiatives.
The Fellowship will run across nine focus states: Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna, and Kano. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Fellowship Structure
The Fellowship comprises two major phases:
- Phase 1 – Three-Day Intensive Training
Selected fellows will participate in a three-day training programme hosted in one of three focal states — Kaduna, Plateau, or Borno. - Phase 2 – Six-Month Post-Training Programme
After the training, fellows will undergo a six-month period of story production and advocacy implementation. During this time, they will receive mentorship, editorial guidance, and support to produce impactful reports and advocacy campaigns.
Training Focus Areas
The SCOJA Fellowship 2026 will deliver practical, hands-on training on the following key topics:
- Human rights and advocacy strategies
- Digital safety and physical security for journalists
- Reporting on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)
- Accountability reporting and investigative journalism
- Climate change reporting and advocacy
- Conflict-sensitive reporting
- Tackling misinformation and disinformation
- Inclusive storytelling techniques
- Effective collaboration with stakeholders and communities
Benefits of the Fellowship
Fellows selected for the programme will receive a range of benefits, including:
- Personalised mentorship throughout the six-month Fellowship period
- Support in report and advocacy development
- Advanced skills in advocacy, fact-checking, security, and innovative reporting methods
- Networking and peer learning opportunities with other journalists and advocates
- A stipend to support their reporting and advocacy activities during the Fellowship
Fellowship Expectations and Commitments
Successful applicants will be expected to actively participate and commit to the full duration of the programme. Specifically, fellows must:
- Attend the three-day in-person training in one of the focal states
- Submit monthly progress reports throughout the six-month post-training phase
- Produce a minimum of three high-quality reports and one significant advocacy initiative
- Take part in surveys, data collection, and virtual learning sessions
- Conduct step-down training sessions to share knowledge with colleagues in their home organisations or communities
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must reside in one of the nine target states: Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna, or Kano.
- The Fellowship is open to community journalists, citizen reporters, and human rights advocates.
- Women are especially encouraged to apply.
- Applicants should demonstrate a clear commitment to human rights and community-based reporting.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the SCOJA Fellowship 2026 is 10 October 2025. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
How to Apply
Interested journalists and advocates should complete the online application form and provide all required details before the deadline.
👉 Click here to apply for the SCOJA Fellowship 2026
👉 Read more about the programme here
Get Professional Support for Your Application
Need expert help to increase your chances of being selected? Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review to make your SCOJA Fellowship 2026 application stand out.
