The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and DevReporting are collaborating on an event focused on local government accountability and development journalism. Scheduled for 29 October at UNILAG, Akoka, the event will feature the premiere of LG Billions in the Dark, an investigative documentary examining public finance management, service delivery, and civic accountability at the local government level in Osun State, Nigeria. This documentary uses Osun State as a case study to investigate these critical aspects of local governance.
The event is a three-in-one initiative that will also include the launch of the Development Reporting Africa Foundation (DRAF) and a fundraising drive. According to DevReporting, the documentary aims to stimulate a broader national conversation about the state of local governance and the need for citizens and institutions to demand accountability. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through its Local Media Sustainability Fund, with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
DevReporting Managing Editor, Christiana Alabi-Akande, emphasized that the documentary seeks to move the conversation beyond Osun State and encourage a national discussion about local governance. The goal is to stimulate a broader conversation about the state of local governance and the need for accountability. By using Osun State as a case study, the documentary aims to shed light on the challenges and opportunities for improvement in local governance.
UNILAG was chosen as the venue for the event because local governments receive less public scrutiny than the federal and state governments, despite being the tier of government closest to citizens. DevReporting Associate Editor, Samson Ademola, noted that bringing students and members of the academic community into the discussion would help improve understanding of local governance and encourage advocacy for transparency. This is particularly important, as many citizens remain unaware of local governance activities.
UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, a professor, commended DevReporting’s focus on development journalism and expressed her enthusiasm for the documentary screening and launch of DRAF. She emphasized the need for a positive narrative about Nigeria's development and the importance of confronting the country's challenges. The university looks forward to collaborating with DevReporting on this initiative.
The event is expected to bring together students, members of the academic community, and stakeholders to discuss local governance and accountability. By engaging with the academic community, DevReporting aims to encourage a new generation of journalists and citizens to prioritize local governance and accountability. The documentary and the launch of DRAF are critical components of this effort.
The Development Reporting Africa Foundation (DRAF) is being launched to promote development journalism and support initiatives that foster accountability and transparency in local governance. The foundation's launch and the fundraising drive will be key components of the event at UNILAG. By supporting DRAF, stakeholders can contribute to the growth of development journalism and the promotion of accountability in Nigeria.
Key points
- The documentary "LG Billions in the Dark" examines public finance management, service delivery, and civic accountability at the local government level in Osun State, Nigeria.
- The event at UNILAG aims to stimulate a broader national conversation about the state of local governance and the need for citizens and institutions to demand accountability.
- The Development Reporting Africa Foundation (DRAF) is being launched to promote development journalism and support initiatives that foster accountability and transparency in local governance.
