The United States Consulate General in Lagos has launched the Adejumobi Adegbite Fellowship for Young Journalists, a year-long initiative aimed at mentoring and training early-career reporters in ethics-driven and public interest journalism.
The fellowship was unveiled on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at an event held at the American Corner in Lekki, Lagos, in memory of Adejumobi Adegbite, a former Guardian journalist and U.S. Consulate Information Specialist who passed away in 2023. The gathering brought together U.S. Mission officials, media professionals, and the first cohort of selected fellows.
In his opening remarks, U.S. Consul General Rick Swart, who recently assumed his post in Lagos, paid tribute to Adegbite’s legacy, describing him as a passionate advocate for impactful journalism.
“Before his untimely passing, Adegbite was developing a mentorship program for young journalists. Today, we honor his vision through this fellowship,” Swart stated.
The program, established in partnership with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), will be led by FIJ’s Editor-in-Chief, Fisayo Soyombo, a prominent investigative journalist and U.S. government exchange program alumnus.
Swart commended Soyombo’s leadership, highlighting the crucial role investigative journalism plays in democratic societies. “Fisayo, your dedication to mentoring young journalists and advancing truth-seeking reporting is vital,” he said.
The 12-month fellowship includes training in investigative techniques, legal literacy, ethics, data journalism, and multimedia storytelling. Fellows were selected from a highly competitive pool of over 80 applicants from across Nigeria and will participate in quarterly workshops and receive ongoing mentorship.
Swart also praised the fellows for their resilience and commitment, especially those who traveled from various regions such as Yobe and Ibadan. “Your dedication to this profession is a reminder that journalism is a public trust. You are the guardians of truth,” he added.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening the media space, particularly in an era of disinformation and declining public trust, and reaffirmed the U.S. Mission’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian media through continued training and collaboration.
Encouraging further engagement, Swart urged participants to stay connected with the U.S. Consulate’s Public Diplomacy Section for additional resources and opportunities.
“Congratulations to all the fellows. We’re eager to see the impact of your stories, your voices, and your integrity,” he concluded.
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