The Struggle for Civic Voice: Inside Sowore’s Fight for Citizen Journalism

In 2017, Omoyele Sowore, through his media platform Sahara Reporters and with the backing of international funding, launched the Civic Media Lab situated at Isaac John street, Ikeja Lagos to promote citizen-led journalism in Nigeria. The lab was designed as a hub to inspire and train young Nigerians in civic awareness, encouraging them to participate actively in national conversations and hold leaders to account. At its core, the project aimed to build the country’s most valuable asset its human capital by nurturing transparency and public engagement.

However, in August 2019, Sowore was arrested by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) after initiating the #RevolutionNow campaign, which called for peaceful demonstrations to demand political and economic reforms. These demands included addressing corruption, improving security, and fostering social justice. His arrest led to a drawn-out legal ordeal, with charges such as treason and cybercrime leveled against him.

During this time, Sahara Reporters and its related initiatives faced intense pressure bank accounts were frozen, the organization endured cyber attacks, and operations came under heavy scrutiny. The Civic Media Lab, in particular, suffered significant setbacks as the government shut it down.

The dismantling of this initiative highlights deeper issues surrounding freedom of expression and civic space in Nigeria. Despite the repression, Sowore’s work remains a testament to the power of grassroots activism in pushing for meaningful change, even under hostile conditions.

Written By: Kehinde Samson