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Legit.ng’s senior copyeditor, Kola Muhammed, has been selected among 15 journalists for the 2025/2026 DPI Journalism FellowshipThe prestigious programme, organised by MFWA and Co-Develop, aims to strengthen media coverage of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPGs) across West AfricaThe fellowship will run from October 2025 to April 2026, providing training, mentorship, and investigative grants to enhance digital governance reporting in Nigeria Kola Muhammed, a journalist and senior copyeditor with Legit.ng, has been selected to participate in the prestigious 2025/2026 Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Journalism Fellowship, alongside 14 others. The competitive fellowship, which aims to amplify public awareness of digital public infrastructure and digital public goods, is a joint initiative of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Co-Develop. The 15 finalists, who were chosen from nearly 200 applicants and 45 shortlisted candidates, represent a mix of print, broadcast, and online media outlets from across Nigeria. The selected fellows include eight males and seven females, reflecting a well-balanced gender representation. Throughout the fellowship, which runs from October 31, 2025 to April 30, 2026, the journalists will receive hands-on training, editorial mentorship, and gain access to a continental information hub that provides resources on DPI and DPGs. The initiative will also connect them to a growing network of alumni from across West Africa, who are leveraging journalism to explore the digital transformation opportunities and challenges facing the continent. Kola Muhammed’s career so far Before joining Legit.ng in 2023, Kola Muhammed has previously worked as an Editorial Quality Assurance Manager at Pulse (Africa), Content Writer at RED Media Africa (YNaija, Y!Africa), and Senior Reporter at the Nigerian Tribune. He has also contributed to platforms such as Business Insider Africa, NotJustOk, and Pendulum Magazine. Beyond newsroom work, Muhammed, who holds an M.A. in English Language from Obafemi Awolowo University, contributes to entertainment, tech and civic discourses through his newsletter project, AfroDives, Polity Panorama which he co-hosts and The Civic Roundtable. His journalistic interests span culture, digital governance, civic innovation, and public accountability, aligning closely with the goals of the DPI Journalism Fellowship. Full list of 2025/2026 DPI Fellows Below is the full list of selected fellows and their respective media outlets: Adepetun Adeyemi – The Guardian Newspapers of Nigeria, Lagos stateAbubakar Muhammad Usman – WikkiTimes, Kano stateOmolabake Fasogbon – ThisDay Newspaper, Lagos stateYakubu Mohammed – Premium Times, AbujaRasheedat Oladotun Iliyas – Harmony FM (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria), Kwara stateMuhammad Auwal Ibrahim – Daily Episode, Kano stateObidah Habila Albert – HumAngle Media, AbujaAbdulsemiu Monsuroh – TheCable, Lagos stateJuliet Buna – Crest 91.1FM, Ibadan, Oyo stateJuliet Umeh – Vanguard Newspapers, Lagos stateKola Muhammed – Legit.ng, LagosTimileyin Precious Akinmoyeje – Foundation for Investigative Journalism, LagosBilkis Abdulraheem Lawal – Bond FM (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria), Lagos stateAnibe Idajili – TechCityNG, Niger stateFrank Eleanya – TechCabal, Lagos state About DPI Journalism Fellowship The DPI Journalism Fellowship is a flagship initiative jointly implemented by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), in partnership with and with support from Co-Develop. The fellowship is aimed at to amplify public awareness, participation, and uptake of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods and Services (DPGs) through media narratives and public discourses. “The DPI Journalism Fellowship represents a strategic investment in fostering informed and independent media narratives that shape public discourses around inclusive design, implementation and uptake of DPI developments in the areas of policy, governance and utility. And we are grateful to Co-Develop for the partnership and the support in making this initiative possible,” said Sulemana Braimah, executive director of the Media Foundation for West Africa. Legit.ng Journalist Graduates with First Class Honours In an earlier report by Legit.ng, a promising talent and journalist at the leading digital news media, Sofiyullaha Ibrahim, graduated with a first class honours degree from Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, formerly known as First Technical University. The brilliant writer, who joined the media organisation in December 2023, graduated with the highest academic distinction in biomedical engineering. Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng. Source: Legit.ng
