This award highlights her notable contributions to her profession and her commitment to fostering positive social change in Nigeria.
With this scholarship, Ms. Okereke-Adagba, a proponent of social accountability, civic engagement, and gender equality, will pursue a Master’s degree in Media Practice for Development and Social Change at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, an institution recognized as a pioneer in development studies.
Ms. Okereke-Adagba conveyed her enthusiasm regarding her scholarship selection, stating, “This is a dream come true for me”
“For the past four years I have been trying different scholarship opportunities with many rejection emails, but I never gave up.”
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| Ijeoma Okereke-Adagba with the British High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Richard Montgomery at the pre-departure dinner for Commonwealth Scholars in Abuja |
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| Ijeoma Okereke-Adagba during her induction ceremony as a fellow of the Report Women Network |
Ms. Okereke-Adagba commenced her journalism journey after earning a First Class degree in Mass Communication from the University of Jos in 2018. She initially worked as a campus journalist while volunteering with local news organizations in Jos, Plateau State. Following her recognition as the top graduate in her department, she sought opportunities in a competitive media environment, which led her to connect with Dapo Olorunyomi, widely acknowledged as the ‘father of accountability journalism in Nigeria,’ and his team at the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), now known as CJID.
At CJID, she spearheads the UDEME project, a platform dedicated to ensuring government accountability regarding the allocation and use of funds for developmental projects. Her efforts have empowered student journalists, referred to as U-Monitors, to act as societal watchdogs, holding the government accountable for its actions.
In 2022, she was selected by the Council of Europe to represent Nigeria at the 10th World Forum for Democracy, where she made history as the first Youth Delegate Rapporteur. Additionally, she became a member of the African Feminist Macroeconomy Academy (AFMA) through the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET). In 2023, she joined the Report Women Network via the Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).
Her extensive publications address issues related to gender inequality, with her latest research focusing on the effects of motherhood on the career progression of female journalists in Nigeria. This research sheds light on the challenges faced by mother-journalists in the Nigerian media landscape, which have not only impeded their professional advancement but have also led many to leave the field.
It offers recommendations for media owners and practitioners to support mothers in the newsroom, enabling them to fulfill their roles effectively. Since then, she has actively advocated for gender inclusivity in the workplace through the African Mothers’ Hub (AMoH).
AMoH is a program aimed at fostering an inclusive atmosphere for working mothers throughout Africa, focusing on their professional development. It also conducts extensive research on the obstacles encountered by female journalists to promote a gender-sensitive workplace within the media industry. In a message of congratulations to Ms. Okereke-Adagba, the Executive Director of CJID, Akintunde Babatunde praised her for her outstanding contributions as a team player.
“Ijeoma has brought exceptional social, team-playing, and leadership skills to the table in a way that gives confidence in her handling of assignments. It is no surprise to see her win one of the most prestigious scholarships.
“What we do at the CJID goes far beyond empowering the media to serve democracy. We nurture talent and provide a platform for growth and much more”.
The Commonwealth Scholarships offer a platform for exceptional and driven individuals from low- and middle-income Commonwealth nations to acquire the knowledge and skills essential for sustainable development. Since their inception in 1960, more than 30,000 participants have benefited from these scholarships.
The majority of funding comes from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), aligning with the UK's international development objectives and broader overseas interests, while promoting excellence in higher education in the UK and upholding the values of the Commonwealth.