CJID Call for Pitches: People-Centred Investigative Reporting on Peace and Public Safety

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) invites journalists and investigative reporters to submit pitches for in-depth, original, underreported investigative and solutions-focused stories that explore people-centred approaches to public safety, conflict prevention and accountability.

Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is often framed through military operations, policing and other coercive responses. However, communities are also developing their own ways of preventing violence, resolving disputes, rebuilding trust and keeping people safe. This call seeks to support proposals that re-frame safety around the communities directly impacted by armed conflict, civil strife, state violence, and militarization.

Themes

• Grassroots Safety & Alternative Protections: Reporting on community policing, traditional and local peace-building mechanisms, early warning systems and other approaches that build trust, prevent violence and improve public safety. Stories should examine what works, evidence that supports it and if such alternatives can be replicated nationally.
• Systemic Accountability & Harm: Investigations into failures in public safety systems, state security force abuse,privatized military actions,and the impact of security intervention on civilian populations, including how public resources are used and who is held accountable when they fail or cause harm.
• The Political Economy of Insecurity: Financial networks, corruption, land confiscation, or resource extraction driving local violence and conflict.
• Impact on Vulnerable Groups: Deep-dive reporting on how conflict disproportionately reshapes safety for displaced populations, women, youth, or marginalized minorities

Eligibility

• Be professional journalists working with a recognised newsroom.
• Have a proven track record of investigative or accountability journalism.
• Demonstrate commitment to ethical, evidence-based, and conflict-sensitive reporting.
• Be based in or able to safely report from Benue and Bayelsa States.

How to apply

To apply, please fill out CJID’s survey form. Fill out and attach this template to your application. Apply here.

For more information, please visit this page.