Sahara Reporters Media Foundation

Sahara Reporters Media Foundation (SRMF) is a Lagos-based non-profit media organization that works to advance transparency and accountability in Nigeria. A previous award from the On Nigeria program enabled Sahara Reporters Media Foundation to launch a civic media laboratory, which provides support to journalists who otherwise would not have an opportunity to expand their skill sets or have a platform on which to publish their work. With this renewal, SRMF is training more journalists on investigative and data-based journalism; supporting investigations into the education sector, especially budget-related corruption; and partnering with Foundation grantees to report on compliance with Administration of Criminal Justice Act provisions and its impact on high-profile corruption trials. The award will further strengthen development in digital solutions and mobilize young Nigerians’ active involvement in anti-corruption efforts.

Sahara Reporters is an independent online news agency based in New York City that reports on stories about corruption, human rights abuses, and other political misconduct in Nigeria. It was founded in 2006 by Nigerian political activist Omoyele Sowore, and reporting has been carried out by paid citizen journalists in Nigeria in collaboration with Sowore and his staff in New York. With this award, Sahara Reporters is revamping its website and developing an app to accommodate the increasing numbers of site visitors using mobile phones. It is also launching a Lagos-based “civic media laboratory” project that develops, engineers, tests, and incubates ideas, systems, and tools to more deeply engage citizens in public debate on issues that matter to them and that lead to greater transparency and accountability of government and big business. In this endeavor, Sahara Reporters is collaborating with other On Nigeria grantees. The award is part of a package of awards on the theme of strengthening the capacity of investigative and data-­driven journalism in Nigeria.