In a significant achievement for Nigerian journalism, James Ojo Adakole, a senior copy editor at Legit.ng, has been selected as a fellow for the prestigious 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC) in Malaysia.
Prestigious Recognition for Nigerian Journalist
The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) announced Ojo's selection following a highly competitive process. He will join other top investigative journalists from around the world at the conference scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from November 20 to 24, 2025.
This marks the first time the world's largest international gathering of investigative journalists is being held in Asia. The conference features comprehensive training on the latest tools and techniques, cutting-edge workshops, and extensive networking opportunities.
Conference Details and Fellowship Requirements
According to the organizers, selected fellows are required to either produce a story directly related to GIJC25 or present the knowledge gained at the conference to their colleagues or the broader journalism community.
The fellowship specifically targets full-time journalists working in print, online, television, video, radio, documentary, and multimedia formats, including full-time freelance journalists from developing or transitioning countries.
The GIJC has a rich history dating back to its debut in Copenhagen in 2001. Since then, it has gathered thousands of journalists from 140 countries and territories, with the 2023 edition in Gothenburg attracting a record 2,100 attendees.
James Ojo's Impressive Career Trajectory
James Ojo Adakole brings a decade of journalism experience to the conference. He graduated with a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State and has accumulated numerous prestigious awards throughout his career.
His accolades include the 2022 Hostwriter Prize for collaborative journalism, the PwC Media Excellence Award (second runner-up), TheCable Journalist of the Year award, and Legit.ng's Copyediting Excellence Award.
Most recently, in 2024, Ojo won the African Prize for Investigative Journalism (PAJI) in the online category for his collaborative report that exposed health officials selling unverified medical documents in Sokoto State.
Ojo joined Legit.ng in August 2023 and continues to build on his impressive track record. Earlier in 2025, he was also selected for the African Investigative Journalism Masterclass at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
