WSCIJ Hosts 18th Wole Soyinka Media Lecture, Calls for Democracy Beyond Elections

The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has called for a broader assessment of Nigeria’s democracy beyond periodic elections, with stakeholders emphasising that citizens should measure democratic governance by its impact on their daily lives.

The call was made at the 18th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series held on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Lagos under the theme, Beyond the Ballot: Measuring Democracy Through Security, Welfare, Accountability and Public Trust.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Umaru Pate, Professor of Communication at Bayero University, Kano, said democracy should not be judged solely by constitutional provisions or the conduct of elections but by the extent to which it delivers security, economic opportunities, quality healthcare, education, accountability and public trust.

He described elections as only one part of democratic governance, arguing that citizens ultimately evaluate democracy through their lived experiences. Pate also warned that the growing spread of misinformation poses a serious challenge to democratic participation.

At the event, a high-level panel moderated by TV360 Nigeria Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Deji Badmus, examined the roles of government institutions, the media, security agencies and citizens in strengthening democratic accountability beyond election cycles. Panellists stressed the need for responsible leadership, credible elections, public trust and sustained civic engagement.

The lecture also featured a public review of the 2025 Journalism & Civic Space Status Report, which highlighted 245 civic space incidents documented across 570 reports published by 54 media organisations, underscoring continuing concerns over press freedom, access to information and civic participation in Nigeria.

A stakeholder dialogue followed, with participants exploring practical ways to strengthen journalism, civic space and democratic accountability.

The event also honoured Michel Deelen, outgoing Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos, with an award of appreciation for his support for investigative journalism and democratic accountability in Nigeria.

The 18th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Series concluded with the celebration of Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka’s 92nd birthday, recognising his enduring contributions to truth, justice, democracy and public-interest journalism.