By David Oluyide
Journalist Abdul-Hafeez Fadehan and five other Nigerian journalists have been selected to participate in the 2026 edition of Reporter Slam Nigeria, a live journalism storytelling platform.
The six journalists, drawn from different media organisations and locations across the country, will take to the stage to share the stories behind their reporting.
The selected journalists are Fadehan, a freelancer based in Lagos; Adetutu Sobowale of PUNCH, Ogun; Aliyu Muhammad of the Nigerian Television Authority, Sokoto; Melody Dauda of Albarka Radio, Bauchi; Temiloluwa Bamgbose of BusinessDay, Lagos; and Tina Abeku of The Guardian, Abuja.
Reporter Slam Nigeria is scheduled to hold on October 14, 2026, at Alliance Française in Lagos, according to the platform’s announcement. The event is themed “Journalism & The Nigerian Story.”
The initiative gives journalists an opportunity to move beyond conventional news reports and present the experiences, challenges and human stories behind their work.
According to the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, which supports the Reporter Slam format through its Media Programme Sub-Saharan Africa, the concept brings journalists from behind their desks onto the stage for live performances that combine journalism, storytelling, humour and multimedia elements.
“The Reporter Slam is an innovative live journalism format that brings reporters from behind their desks onto the stage. In short, journalists present their own investigations in engaging app. 10-minute performances, combining storytelling, humor, and multimedia elements.
“Rather than focusing only on the final story, the format highlights the ‘story behind the story’ – how journalists work, the challenges they face, and the personal experiences behind their reporting. The audience plays an active role, voting for their favorite performance at the end of the event,” they said.
Fadehan is a contributing journalist at Third Lens, with experience spanning crime, politics, education and other public-interest issues. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Security Studies from the Federal University Oye-Ekiti and previously worked with PUNCH Newspapers, including its Metro and digital media unit. He has also worked with Legit.ng and also as a Digital Content Executive with TVC News.
His journalism experience includes reporting crime and justice, politics and social issues.
The Nigerian edition of the contest follows the continental Reporter Slam Africa, which has previously featured journalists from across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Nigerian event will bring the six selected journalists together for an evening of storytelling, with the focus on the people, experiences and realities behind the headlines.
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