By Julius Nsikak
Budget analysis and investigative reporting remain crucial pillars of modern journalism, yet they often attract limited attention among practitioners. Recognising this gap, the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in partnership with Policy Alert, has commenced a two-day intensive training on Budget Analysis and Investigative Reporting for journalists across the state.
The training, which kick-started Thursday, October 23, 2025, and is expected to conclude on Friday, October 24, is part of NUJ’s renewed commitment to enhance the capacity of journalists to effectively track public expenditure and report on governance issues with depth and accuracy.
In his opening remark, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Nsibiet John, represented by the Council’s Secretary, Comrade Nsikak Esenowo, commended Policy Alert for its collaboration and consistent support for media development in the state. He described the training as a significant step toward building journalists’ technical competence in budget reporting and data-driven journalism.
“This partnership is a platform to sharpen our members’ skills to interpret, analyse, and report budgetary issues with precision. It will enable journalists to see beyond the surface and uncover what truly matters in public finance management,” he said.
Comrade Esenowo reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to continuous professional development, assuring participants that more capacity-building initiatives would follow to sustain the drive toward a more informed, accountable, and development-focused media landscape.
On his part, the Executive Director of Policy Alert, Mr. Tijah Bolton-Akpan, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, emphasising that journalists play a critical role in promoting transparency and accountability through effective budget reporting. He assured participants of his organisation’s continued support in providing data, tools, and insights that would enhance their reportage.
“This partnership with NUJ is not just a training exercise, it’s an empowerment drive. Journalists are essential actors in fiscal accountability, and we are glad to work with you to strengthen that role,” he noted.
Day one of the training featured intensive sessions handled by seasoned facilitators, including Mr. Iniobong Usen, who introduced participants to the fundamentals of budget preparation and interpretation; Comrade Ekemini Simon, who took participants through practical exercises on navigating budget websites; and Mr. Tijah Bolton-Akpan, who dissected the policy, legal frameworks, and fiscal norms guiding budget processes, among others.
For many participants, the first day proved to be an eye-opener. Beyond theoretical knowledge, the sessions offered practical insights into how journalists can access, analyse, and report budget data to hold public officials accountable.
As the training continues, expectations are high that it will not only deepen journalists’ understanding of fiscal governance but also inspire a new wave of investigative reports that strengthen public trust and democratic accountability in Akwa Ibom State.
