Ijeoma Okereke-Adagba, a Project Manager at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), has been awarded a prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue an M.A. in Media Practice for Development and Social Change at the University of Sussex. This honor recognizes her significant contributions to social accountability, gender equality, and civic engagement in Nigeria.
Selected from a competitive pool of thousands, Ijeoma stands alongside 80 other recipients of the Commonwealth Scholarship. This accolade reflects her dedicated work in advocating for social accountability and empowering civic participation, particularly concerning gender equality.
With this scholarship, Ijeoma will further her studies at the University of Sussex, renowned for its expertise in development studies. She described the opportunity as a “dream come true,” especially after several years of applying for scholarships without success.
A First-Class graduate in Mass Communication from the University of Jos, Ijeoma began her journalism career as a campus reporter before joining CJID. There, she spearheads the UDEME project, which focuses on holding the government accountable for its expenditures on public development projects. Her efforts have inspired student journalists to engage actively in promoting government transparency.
In 2022, she made her mark on the international stage by representing Nigeria at the World Forum for Democracy, becoming the first Youth Delegate Rapporteur. Additionally, she is a member of the African Feminist Macroeconomy Academy (AFMA) and the Report Women Network, part of the Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP). Her recent research explores how motherhood impacts female journalists’ careers in Nigeria, advocating for more gender-inclusive media workplaces.
CJID’s Executive Director, Akintunde Babatunde, congratulated Ijeoma on her achievement, commending her leadership and collaborative spirit. He emphasized that CJID is committed not only to supporting the media landscape but also to nurturing exceptional talent like Ijeoma’s.