Pan-Atlantic University, in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, recently trained a cohort of Nigerian journalists in how to tell powerful, solutions-driven stories during the Solutions and Data Journalism Workshop.

Bringing together 20 journalists from across the country, the ten-day intensive workshop focused on using data and human-centered narratives to report on development issues.

The workshop was sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation “to provide agenda-setting training through hands-on and experiential workshops, mentoring, knowledge transfer from subject matter experts to the journalists from media houses in Nigeria, with a focus on our core priority areas in Nigeria.”

according to information on the organization’s website.
Journalists were selected from across print, broadcast, and digital media.

“Our motivation is building competent professionals that will contribute to improving society,” said Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University. Dr. Obiaya said this was the motivation for the partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Workshop facilitators included seasoned experts Mr. Munachim Amah, Mr. Chido Nwakanma, Mr. Rotimi Sankore, Mr. Olatunji Ololade, Dr. Ngozi Okpara, Dr. Ruth Oji, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, and other industry leaders. Journalists were trained on basic writing and reporting skills, journalism ethics, data analysis and visualization, narrative writing, and development reporting.

One of the lead facilitators, Mr. Munachim Amah, worked closely with journalists to develop story ideas that combine narrative depth with strong data. He said he emphasized the importance of elevating local voices, contextualizing social issues, and avoiding reporting that reinforces stereotypes or strips people of dignity.

“I believe journalists today must grasp both the power of data and the human meaning behind the stories,” Amah said. “Effective storytelling for development means not just highlighting what’s wrong, but illuminating pathways forward and giving voice to communities who historically have been sidelined.”

Amah’s sessions trained journalists on narrative framing, source diversification, visual storytelling, and how to integrate data without losing the human story. Participants ended the workshop with story drafts and new tools to strengthen their reporting.

An experienced journalist himself, Amah’s stories have been published on CNN and African Arguments. He has facilitated training for journalists, communication professionals, and the police. At the Pan-Atlantic University, he teaches undergraduate writing classes to mass communication students.

The Solutions and Data Journalism workshop marks a critical moment in journalism practice in Nigeria. Through the workshop, journalists were equipped with new tools to produce more impactful coverage, covering issues such as public health, social inequality, poverty, and policy advocacy.

The training culminated in a certificate ceremony and the establishment of a mentorship scheme to support the participants as they returned to their newsrooms.

As newsrooms around the continent grapple with the role of the media in a constantly evolving world, professional workshops such as the just-concluded Solutions and Data Journalism Workshop guide journalists toward more engaged, thoughtful, and socially relevant reporting.