UNILAG, DevReporting Partner to Spotlight Local Governance, Accountability

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and DevReporting are set to host a three-part event on October 29 at UNILAG Akoka, aimed at highlighting accountability in local governance and advancing development journalism. The event will feature the premiere of an investigative documentary titled 'LG Billions in the Dark', which examines local government administration in Osun State and uses it as a case study to explore broader issues in public finance management, service delivery, and civic accountability.

Alongside the documentary premiere, UNILAG will witness the formal launch of the Development Reporting Africa Foundation (DRAF) and a strategic fundraising campaign. This partnership, announced during a visit from DevReporting's management, aims to strengthen collaborations between academic institutions and society. DevReporting's Managing Editor, Christiana Alabi-Akande, expressed gratitude for UNILAG's support and emphasized the documentary's intent to stimulate a national conversation about local governance and demand increased accountability.

Alabi-Akande stated that the documentary aims to broaden the focus beyond Osun State to generate a broader national dialogue on local governance. DevReporting's Associate Editor, Samson Ademola, explained that engaging students and the academic community will deepen understanding of local governance and foster participation in discussions around transparency and accountability.

UNILAG's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, praised DevReporting's focus on constructive and development-oriented journalism, highlighting the media's role in addressing national challenges and highlighting progress. She expressed anticipation for the documentary screening and the launch of DRAF, seeing the initiative as aligned with the kind of journalism the university supports.