In the heart of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where the echoes of communal strife and resource-based conflicts often reverberate through rural landscapes, a quiet but powerful intervention is taking shape. HumAngle, a non-governmental organization dedicated to reporting on humanitarian issues and conflict, has brought together a group of journalists in Benue State. Their mission is not merely to polish their craft but to reforge the very lens through which they view the world. The frontline of this intervention is an intensive training workshop focused on the principles of solutions and data journalism, designed to empower reporters who operate in some of the most volatile and vulnerable regions of the country. The atmosphere in the training hall was one of serious purpose, a stark contrast to the boisterous chaos that often characterizes newsrooms. Here, the scribbled notes and focused expressions of the attendees reflected a collective recognition that the pen, when guided by data and driven by empathy, can be a tool for healing as much as it is for recording.
This gathering was not a spontaneous event but the calculated first step of a broader strategic initiative known as the “Countering Misinformation and Promoting Peace in Nigeria’s Middle Belt” (CMPP) project. The initiative, which has selected Benue and its neighbor Plateau State as its focal points, represents a comprehensive attempt to address the root causes of conflict by cleaning the information ecosystem. While the project is executed by HumAngle, its impacts are magnified by the support of its sponsors: Journalism for Human Rights (JHR) and the Canadian High Commission. This partnership underscores a growing international recognition that in the digital age, the battleground for peace is often fought with information, and the weapons are verification and narrative. By injecting resources and expertise directly into the hands of journalists, the project aims to build a bulwark against the dangerous tides of hate speech and falsehoods, which too often ignite communities already on the edge. The sponsorship is precisely aimed at weaving a fabric of factual reporting strong enough to withstand the strain of sectarian tensions.
At the helm of this initiative is Khadijat Oscar, the Programme Officer at HumAngle, whose passion for the project is palpable. She articulated a vision that extends beyond the newsroom, framing the training as a vital tool to stop misinformation from escalating into open violence. Oscar emphasized that the project is not solely focused on the mechanics of writing or broadcasting but is deeply concerned with the ethical responsibilities of the journalist as a first responder to an information crisis. Her remarks highlighted a fundamental flaw in modern journalism practice: the fixation on speed over accuracy. She noted that it is no longer enough to just have a platform; it is essential to have a conscience. The training, she insisted, was intended to change the mindset of journalists, pushing them to understand that their primary duty is not to the 24-hour news cycle, but to the truth that exists on the ground, especially in the nuanced and complex reality of the Middle Belt. Her primary mantras for the participants were starkly simple yet profoundly difficult to implement in the field: accuracy before speed.
The journalists who participated in the sessions came away from the experience with their understanding of “objectivity” completely recalibrated. They were not simply learning how to find stories; they were learning how to frame them ethically. The curriculum was robust, featuring a deep dive into “Human Rights Journalism” with Fidelis Mbah, which encouraged them to look past the immediate flash of the event to the systemic issues that cause suffering. This was complemented by crucial practical skills in “Verification in Low-resource Environments,” taught by Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu. This module was particularly critical for the journalists present, many of whom work in areas where the internet is patchy, government sources may be unreliable, and the temptation to rely on unverified tips is high. They were taught creative ways to check facts, trace digital footprints, and sift through the noise to find the signal of truth. Furthermore, sessions led by Johnstone Kpilaakaa on “Context Setting” and “Neutrality, Sensitivity, and Preserving Journalistic Standards” served as a stark reminder that in conflict, every word a journalist chooses carries the weight of consequence.
Perhaps the most profound shift in the room concerned the humanization of conflict reporting. Oscar explicitly warned the journalists against the dehumanizing tendency to view their subjects merely as numbers on a casualty list. In a conflict that is frequently defined by statistics—the number of dead, the number of displaced, the number of attacks—the project called for a pivot to the stories behind the numbers. “We want journalists to also look at the human side, the human costs of these conflicts,” Oscar stated. This means documenting the lives that are shattered, the resilience of farmers who return to burnt fields, and the hope that persists in displacement camps. It is a form of journalism that does not just report on the death of a community but charts the path towards its survival. This approach seeks to dismantle stereotypes and break the cycle of retaliation by showing that grief is universal, and the suffering of one side is not a justification for violence against another.
Crucially, the HumAngle project recognizes that journalists cannot achieve this shift in isolation. The fight against misinformation requires an ecosystem approach, bringing in the very people whom the journalists often merely quote or survey. The project plans to expand its outreach to engage state actors, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and religious leaders. These are the gatekeepers of the grassroots, the individuals who hold respect and sway within the communities most affected by the conflict. Oscar noted that these key figures often have direct contact with the masses, and they have a critical role in countering narratives that originate from political or tribal entrepreneurs. By fostering a “coordinated response framework,” the project aims to create a bridge between the media and the community, ensuring that when false information spreads, there is a ready network of fact-checkers and trusted messengers ready to pour the cold water of reality on the flames of incitement.
As the training drew to a close, there was a sense that something significant had been ignited. The journalists, equipped with new tools and a reinforced ethical compass, returned to their various newsrooms to practice their profession with a renewed sense of purpose. They carry with them the collective memory of the sessions—the discourse on ethical reporting, the technical hacks for verification, and the poignant reminders of their role as peacebuilders. The objective of the project is to ensure that these journalists do not just leave the training with a certificate, but with a permanent mindset shift that turns them into stewards of peace. By breaking down the barriers between the media and grassroots organizations, and by fostering a culture of collaboration over competition, HumAngle and its partners are investing in a future where the truth has a fighting chance against the lie. It is an ambitious goal, but in the farms of Benue and the hills of Plateau, the seeds of a more holistic, sensitive, and accurate form of journalism have been sewn.