PIJA Foundation trains 98 in Ogbomoso, Ibadan on budgeting, transparency, accountability
Yinka ADETUNJI
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98 participants in Ibadan and Ogbomoso, Oyo state, have been trained on issues relating to budgeting, accountability and transparency.
The training under the auspices of the Patriot Institute of Journalism and Arts (PIJA) Foundation, a nonprofit organisation and developmental institute of PIJAlance Magazine Limited, dedicated to advancing investigative journalism, civic education, and community development, organised the workshop with a view to enhance government accountability and foster community development.
Titled, “Accountability and community investigation,” the workshop, a component of the GovTracker Fellowship Program, facilitated by the Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative, and partnered by various other organisations, including the European Partnerships for Democracy, ALDA, People In Need, WYDE Civic Engagement, and Elbarlament, seeks to achieve its goals of government accountability and community development through the promotion of budgeting, transparency, and project monitoring.
The inaugural training workshop took place in Ogbomoso on May 10, 2025, followed by the session at the University of Ibadan on June 13, where a total of 98 participants were trained out of over 200 applicants who registered.
Speaking at the events, Ogechukwu Promise, the program coordinator, gave the number of participants at the workshops as 52 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 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, and Executive Director of the PIJA Foundation and a GovTracker Fellow, led the sessions.
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Participants were equipped with essential knowledge on the subject matter, empowering them to recognise their rights, and advocate for community development through transparent governmental practices and active participation.
The first session in Ogbomoso concentrated on community members, media professionals, journalists, civil society groups, and students from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
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.
At the end of the workshops attendees expressed gratitude, describing it as “exceptional.”
They also inquired about future programs so as to have further opportunities at deepening their understanding of civic issues and responsible engagement as journalists and community advocates.
Oyedibu, responding to the question on the continuity of the training program, said though the foundation requires serious funding to push across all of its initiatives on community development and investigative journalism, noted, “It is part of our vision 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 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.”
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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.
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.
