The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has kicked off activities to mark its 20th anniversary alongside the 20th edition of the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR) and the fifth edition of its Amplify In-depth Media (AIM) Conference. The triple milestone, themed ‘WSCIJ @20: Investigative Reporting and the Future of Truth’, will be a two-day hybrid event. WSCIJ will hold the conference on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 December at 11:00 a.m. (WAT) on Zoom. The awards and anniversary ceremony will follow at the AGIP Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. (WAT) on Tuesday 9 December, with a red-carpet session from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. (WAT). Click here to register.
Established in 2005 with a vision to promote investigative journalism and media accountability in Nigeria, the WSCIJ was named in honour of Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, Professor Wole Soyinka, whose lifelong commitment to truth, justice, and democratic values continues to inspire our work and the world. Over two decades, the WSCIJ has supported more than 10,000 journalists, strengthened over 180 media organisations, and driven stories that have exposed corruption, challenged impunity, and deepened public trust in journalism.
“This milestone is beyond longevity; it is about legacy,” said Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director/CEO of WSCIJ. “For 20 years, we have championed courageous journalism. We have normalised accountability, stood with truth-tellers, and built systems that defend the public’s right to know. As we look to the future, we are also asking hard questions about how truth will thrive in a fast-changing world.”
The 2025 AIM Conference and Awards will celebrate two decades of unwavering commitment to truth, press freedom, and accountability journalism in Nigeria, Africa, and globally. It will bring together investigative reporters, editors, media executives, civil society leaders, government representatives, development partners, and funders to discuss the next frontiers of investigative journalism – focusing on vision, democracy technology, local journalism, collaboration, and sustainability to shape the next generation of truth-tellers.
The celebration will feature a keynote address, dialogues, and a special recognition ceremony honouring journalists and other individuals who have demonstrated courage, innovation, and public service. The 20th Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting continues its legacy of honouring ethical journalism across print, broadcast, online, photojournalism, and editorial cartooning. Over the past two decades, the Award has produced 130 finalists, 58 Soyinka Laureates, and 13 Investigative Journalists of the Year, in addition to 31 honorary awards under the Lifetime and Human Rights Defender categories.
As WSCIJ reflects on two decades of impact, it reaffirms commitment to building a stronger, freer, and more accountable journalism, democracy, and democracy ecosystem – a vision that remains as urgent today as it was in 2005.
