Mon. May 25th, 2026
Spread the love

Are you a health journalist ready to use the solutions journalism framework to change the narrative on global health and development in West Africa?

Nigeria Health Watch invites committed journalists across West Africa to apply for the West Africa Solutions Journalism Fellowship, a four-month programme designed to strengthen the practice of solutions-oriented health reporting in the region.

About the Fellowship

Health challenges across West Africa are complex, but solutions are not in short supply. Yet, too often, media coverage focuses solely on problems, missing opportunities to spotlight what works. This fellowship seeks to shift the lens by empowering journalists to tell compelling, evidence-based stories of impact. Within the fellowship period, selected fellows will receive expert mentorship, training, and editorial support to produce powerful stories that drive conversations and inspire change.

Objectives

· Strengthen the practice of solutions journalism in global health and development reporting.

· Equip journalists to investigate, verify, and report on interventions addressing public health issues across West Africa.

· Build a regional network of skilled solutions-focused storytellers

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applications from:

· Journalists residing in West African countries: The fellowship is in English, so participants should be able to speak English.

· Journalists with robust storytelling, investigative, and research skills.

· Professionals with at least three years of journalism experience (exceptional early-career applicants may be considered).

· Individuals affiliated with a media house (radio, television, or online). Freelancers can also apply but must back their application with a letter of support from a reputable platform willing to publish/broadcast their stories.

Fellowship Details

Duration: 4 months (July to October 2025) Format: Hybrid (In-person engagements, virtual workshops, mentorship, and story production, support from industry experts working in the public health and journalism space).

What to Expect

· Capacity-Building Workshops: Learn from leading experts in global health, journalism, and development.

· Mentorship and Editorial Support: Receive hands-on guidance from experienced editors and storytellers.

· Story Development: Publish in-depth health stories showcasing impactful, evidence-based solutions.

· Peer Learning: Connect with a cohort of like-minded journalists from across the region.

· Funding support: Fellows will receive a grant to cover their logistics and time to work on their stories. They will also collaborate to develop in-depth solutions-focused reports.

What to Expect

· Capacity-Building Workshops: Learn from leading experts in global health, journalism, and development.

· Mentorship and Editorial Support: Receive hands-on guidance from experienced editors and storytellers.

· Story Development: Publish in-depth health stories showcasing impactful, evidence-based solutions.

· Peer Learning: Connect with a cohort of like-minded journalists from across the region.

· Funding support: Fellows will receive a grant to cover their logistics and time to work on their stories. They will also collaborate to develop in-depth solutions-focused reports.

Application Requirements

· A completed application form

· A letter of commitment from affiliated media house.

Application Deadline: 30th May 2025

Method of Application

Interested and Qualified candidates should Go:

CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

The post Apply for the West Africa Solutions Journalism Fellowship at Nigeria Health watch appeared first on Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for almajiri.com.ng Hausa Music Blog, Entertainment ,News and Gossips .

By 9jabook

You missed

From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.