Nigeria’s biodiversity faces a serious threat. In the past three decades, much of Nigeria’s wildlife has declined dramatically, with species like lions, elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees nearing extinction. Fewer than 400 elephants remain in Nigeria, fewer than 100 Cross River gorillas, and about 50 lions still survive in Nigeria today.
Nigeria has also emerged as a major transit hub for the trafficking of pangolin scales and ivory to Asia. 55 percent of pangolin-scale seizures worldwide between 2016 and 2019 were linked to Nigeria, according to the Wildlife Justice Commission
Nigeria’s deforestation rate is ranked among one of the highest in the world at 3.7 percent annually, with 55.7 percent of its primary forests lost between 2000 and 2005. A lack of public awareness, weak legislation, and minimal enforcement have hindered efforts to combat biodiversity loss in Nigeria.
Against this backdrop, Prime Progress is excited to announce its Biodiversity Reporting Challenge—an initiative seeking innovative story ideas from journalists to address Nigeria’s pressing biodiversity issues. This challenge focuses on solutions journalism, tackling deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat loss from a creative, solution-driven perspective.
What We’re Offering:
- Two-day training workshop: Gain in-depth knowledge about biodiversity challenges in Nigeria and learn how to craft impactful, solutions-oriented stories across formats (text, audio, video, and data).
- Story grant worth ₦220,000: The winning journalist will receive a grant to produce their story, showcasing efforts to protect Nigeria’s wildlife and biodiversity.
- Exclusive resources: Access a reporting resource bank with tips and opportunities within the conservation space.
Following the training, each applicant will be required to submit their story ideas as story pitches, which will be assessed by industry experts in the Nigerian biodiversity landscape. The best idea will receive a N220,000 grant to bring their story to life.
How to Apply
Send an email containing the following:
- A 350-word letter of motivation.
- Your resume.
- Three samples of your previous work.
to editor@primeprogressng.com and copy kingsley.c@primeprogressng.com
Eligibility
Broadcast, print, and digital journalists are encouraged to apply.
Deadline
Apply by November 24, 2024.
Nigeria's biodiversity is under severe threat with a significant decline in wildlife populations over the past 30 years. Critical species such as lions, elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees are nearing extinction in Nigeria, with fewer than 400 elephants, 100 Cross River gorillas, and approximately 50 lions remaining. The country has also become a major transit hub for illegal trafficking of pangolin scales and ivory to Asia, linked to 55% of global pangolin-scale seizures between 2016 and 2019. Furthermore, Nigeria's alarming deforestation rate of 3.7% annually, resulting in the loss of 55.7% of its primary forests from 2000 to 2005, exacerbates the biodiversity crisis. Limited public awareness and weak legislation have hindered conservation efforts.
To address these challenges, Prime Progress has launched the Biodiversity Reporting Challenge, encouraging journalists to propose innovative story ideas focused on solutions to Nigeria's biodiversity issues, such as deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat loss. The initiative includes a two-day training workshop aimed at equipping journalists with skills to create solutions-oriented stories, a story grant of ₦220,000, and access to a resource bank for conservation reporting.
Journalists interested in participating must submit a 350-word motivation letter, resume, and three work samples to the provided emails by the deadline of November 24, 2024. The challenge is open to broadcast, print, and digital journalists. The best story pitch will be awarded a grant for implementation.
