The United States has allocated $50 million to support the training of journalists, INEC officials and civil society organisations for the credible conduct of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.

U.S. consul-general in Lagos, Will Stevens, made this known at opening a two-day election reporting workshop for political beat reporters, editors, video journalists and videographers on Tuesday in Ibadan.

The West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) and Enugu Literary Society (ELS) organised the workshop and were supported by United States Consulate-General, Lagos.

Ms Stevens said the allocated fund would provide technical assistance for beneficiaries.

“We are supporting more than 100 Journalists with this workshop in Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Lagos as part of U.S. efforts to support Nigeria’s elections.

“Over the last three years and into the next year too, the U.S. government has allocated more than 50 million dollars for technical assistance, support, training for INEC, and civil society, among others.

“We have been working closely in partnership with civil society and INEC through the U.S. Agency for International Development.

“The partnership focuses on technical assistance and support for the system that has been put in place to ensure that every vote counts,’’ he said.

Ms Stevens also said the U.S. government would continue to emphasise the value of voting and to protect a free press, adding that the media is essential in preserving democracy.

“We are committed to initiatives here in Nigeria to build needed capacity.

“We have funded training for hundreds of journalists on topics ranging from fact-checking, health reporting, defence and national security reporting, investigative journalism, election reporting and media ethics.

“This training, together with other programmes we offer virtually to demonstrate our commitment to this partnership that we have long enjoyed here in Nigeria,’’ he stressed.

In his remarks, Ken Ike Okere, Director of Broadcast Academy, said the workshop was put together to train journalists to be the best at what they do.

(NAN)