Julius Nsikak
A non-governmental organization passionate about accountability has ended a two-day training on Budget Analysis and Investigative Reporting for journalists in Akwa Ibom State.
The training was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Press Centre in Uyo on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th of November, 2025.
Organized in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, the training aimed to enhance journalists’ ability to analyse budgets, monitor public spending, and report governance matters with precision and depth.
Addressing the trainees drawn from respective Chapels in the Union, the State Chairman, Comrade Nsibiet John, represented by the Council Secretary, Comrade Nsikak Esenowo, commended Policy Alert for its sustained partnership and support in advancing media development within the State. He described the training as essential and vital, saying it would equip the trainees with the skills needed in the budgeting beat.
Similarly, the Executive Director, Policy Alert, Mr Tijah Bolton-Akpan, praised the NUJ for creating a platform for the enhancement of journalists’ knowledge of fiscal transparency.
He underscored the pivotal role journalists play in fostering accountability through effective budget and expenditure tracking and reaffirmed Policy Alert’s commitment to continued collaboration with the media.
Within the two days, participants engaged in practical sessions facilitated by seasoned trainers. The trainees were introduced to the fundamentals of budget preparation and interpretation by Mr. Iniobong Usen while Comrade Ekemini Simon guided them on navigating budget websites for data analysis.
Mr Bolton-Akpan also took participants through the policy and legal frameworks in budget reporting as well as the fiscal norms, governing budget processes.
The second day featured advanced sessions led by Comrade Simon and Mr Bolton-Akpan, focusing on understanding Akwa Ibom State’s procurement laws, business ownership transparency, and other key aspects of public finance tracking.
At the end of the workshop, participants, including Comrade Priscilla Etini Akpanettot of The Ink Newspaper and Comrade Unyime Anietie of Redemption FM, expressed appreciation to the NUJ and Policy Alert for the opportunity. They noted that the training had broadened their understanding of budget reporting and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to enhance accountability and improve the quality of journalism in Akwa Ibom State.
The workshop reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ and Policy Alert to advance a more transparent, accountable, and development-oriented media landscape in Nigeria.
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