On January 20, 2021, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism and Social Justice (FIJ) embarked on a journey of investigative and social justice reporting.

Exactly three years into our editorial operations and travelling beyond the borders of conventional journalism, we take a moment to reflect on the remarkable achievements and incredible stories that have unfolded during this period.

Here are some highlights of 20 impactful social justice stories from the 155 that sparked change in the past year:

1. Newborn Rescued After FIJ’s Investigation

After FIJ’s landmark ‘Arrows of God’ undercover investigation, the Lagos State government sealed all four outlets of the orphanage in the state, an action that was soon reciprocated in Anambra State with the sealing off of the Anambra outlet of the orphanage by the state’s Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

In Anambra, 20 children, including a newborn, were rescued during the raid following the investigation and its accompanying documentary, aired by Channels TV, Arise TV and News Central.

2. After FIJ’s Story, De-Royal Travels Secures Client’s Canadian Visa Held Back for 2 Years

Zacheaous Adedeji, the chief travel consultant at De-Royals Travels and Logistics, successfully obtained a Canadian visa for Ahmad Olatunji after a two-year delay. Ahmad had paid N500,000 to the travel agency in 2021 for visa processing, but the documents were not delivered. Following FIJ’s report on the delay, Zacheaous resumed the process and secured Ahmad’s Canadian visa in less than a month.

3. Zenith Bank Returns Entrepreneur’s $612 After FIJ’s Intervention

Stephanie Akana, an entrepreneur, faced challenges accessing her funds in Canada through Zenith Bank’s dollar card. Her mother initially sent CAN$ 1,000, but an error in the transaction channeling process resulted in the forwarding of the money to the wrong bank. Despite several attempts to rectify the situation, Stephanie and a family friend, the intermediary in the transaction, did not receive the money for over five months. FIJ’s intervention prompted Zenith Bank to address the issue, leading to the return of $612 to Stephanie’s mother.

4. Dana Air Refunds ₦40,000 Flight Fee After FIJ’s Story

Dana Air, a Nigerian airline, refunded Ngozi Okoro’s ₦40,000 after FIJ reported on the airline’s cancellation of two trips while holding on to her money. Okoro, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, confirmed the refund, appreciating FIJ’s involvement.

5. UBA Reimburses N20,726 to Customer Hit by Second Scam After FIJ’s Intervention

Following FIJ’s report, UBA refunded N20,726 to Ibrahim Gaya, who experienced a second incident of losing money to a scammer. This refund occurred three hours after the story on the unauthorized deduction was published. In this recent case, Gaya’s account was emptied on January 24, 2023 after someone signed into his mobile banking app, initiating the deduction. Despite UBA claiming non-liability initially, Gaya’s account was credited with the debited sum at 12:28 pm on Tuesday. This timely refund came after FIJ’s intervention.

6. Landwey Begins Rapid Construction After FIJ’s Investigation

After FIJ’s investigation titled ‘Landwey, Money Heist’: A Real Estate Company With Access To Power Is Getting Away With Daylight Ponzi, real estate company Landwey initiated legal processes against FIJ. However, it nquickly resumed construction works in Milton, Urban Prime Two, and Urban Prime Four estates.

The threat or possibility of a fullblown lawsuit is unimportant, after all: Landwey’s previously silent estates were soon bustling with construction activity, with workers and machinery on the sites.

7. Photography Influencer Takes Corrective Action After FIJ’s Exposé

Samuel Oluwagbemiga, a photography influencer, removed images falsely claimed as his own and issued a public apology after FIJ exposed the appropriation of photos from female photographers.
Following the report on the misleading claims, Oluwagbemiga acknowledged the error, apologised to the affected photographers, and expressed a commitment to rebuilding trust with his audience.

8. Palmcredit Adopts Milder Approach After FIJ’s Investigation

Following FIJ’s undercover investigation into Palmcredit’s use of defamatory messages to recover loans, the online money lender shifted to a more considerate tone in its communication with debtors. Messages now emphasise understanding of customers’ challenges, urging partial repayments rather than using aggressive language.

9. Journalist Released by Kwara Police After FIJ Intervention

Pelumi Salako, a journalist arrested by the Kwara State Police Command, was released following FIJ’s report on his arrest. The police, demanding his laptop receipt, accused him of involvement in a fictitious criminal investigation. Kwara Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, soon showed up at the police station and asked for the journalist’s immediate release.

10. FRC Made Plans to Address Exploitable Gap in Contingent Liabilities After FIJ’s Report

The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) responded to FIJ’s report, stating its intent to issue a rule ensuring adequate disclosure of contingent liabilities by publicly listed companies. FIJ’s report revealed companies underreporting financial claims, violating International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), particularly IAS 37.

FRC acknowledged an exploitable gap in disclosure requirements and planned to address this through a new rule.

11. Envivo Communications Repays CBN Loans After FIJ’s Report

Envivo Communications, led by Chioma Ude, started repaying CBN loans obtained by students in 2020, after FIJ’s report.

The company enrolled students into tech programmes with promises of job placements and required them to apply for CBN’s loan. Over 100 students applied for N3 million each but were abandoned after less than a year. Following FIJ’s report, Envivo Communications cleared the debts.

12. NEFGAD Criticised OSSAP-SDGs, Threatened Legal Action After FIJ’s Report

NEFGAD, a procurement advocacy group, criticised the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) over project relocation. FIJ had exposed how OSSAP-SDGs paid N147.1 million to Enseno Global Ventures, a restaurant, for projects moved from the original location. NEFGAD deemed this relocation an aberration, reflecting a disconnect and indicating deficiencies in procurement proceedings. The group threatened legal action, emphasising the importance of transparency and adherence to procurement regulations.

13. Aero Contractors Refunds N53,510 to Civil Servant After FIJ’s Involvement

Aero Contractors, an airline company, refunded Francisca Nengi, an Abuja-based civil servant, N53,510 after withholding her money for over a month following the cancellation of her flight. Nengi expressed gratitude to FIJ for assisting in the resolution, acknowledging the return of her money in full after FIJ’s report.

14. Ekiti Governor Commits to Comprehensive Treatment for Accident Victim After FIJ’s Report

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebamiji, committed to covering the medical expenses and providing a prosthesis for 15-year-old Kemi Afolabi, who lost her leg in an auto accident. FIJ’s report detailed the incident and the governor’s proactive response to ensure Afolabi receives comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation.

15. Arik Air Refunds N295,503 to Dissatisfied Customer After FIJ’s Report

Arik Air promptly refunded N295,503 to Muhammed Muntaqa, an environmental consultant in Nasarawa State, after FIJ reported the airline’s refusal to return his money for a cancelled flight.

16. NTI Addresses Exam Woes After FIJ’s Report

The National Teachers Institute (NTI) swiftly resolved a grievance raised by Alli, a post-graduate student, who faced repeated attempts at a single exam due to the institute’s claim of his absence. Following FIJ’s report, the Osun State branch invited Alli for a meeting, resulting in the issuance of a statement of results, dated January 18, 2024, by the state coordinator.

17. After FIJ’s Report, Samuel Ajeibi Refunds UNILAG Students

Samuel Ajeibi, an agent who failed to secure hostel bed space allocations for UNILAG students after collecting N150,000, refunded N120,000 to Priscilla Ogu and Deborah Chukwu after FIJ’s report. The refund was made within 24 hours of the report, following an agreement between Ajeibi and the students.

18. Oyo Out-of-School Girls Return to School After FIJ’s Special Report

Aisha Dhikrullah and Zainab Etiko, out-of-school girls from Oyo State, successfully returned to school following FIJ’s special report detailing their challenges. The Wole Oguntoye Foundation expressed interest in sponsoring the girls after the report’s publication, and both girls resumed classes with their peers. FIJ facilitated communication between the school counsellor and the foundation, leading to financial support for the girls’ education.

19. Dana Airline Initiates Refund After FIJ’s Report

Dana Airline promptly refunded N144,000 to Yomi Oduneye, a civil servant whose family’s flight was abruptly cancelled. Oduneye confirmed the credit to his account, expressing thanks to FIJ for its role in ensuring the refund was initiated.

20. After FIJ’s Report, Marcus-Okoko & Co. Pays Former NIRSAL Employee’s N182,250

Consulting firm Marcus-Okoko & Co. paid N182,250 to Emem Egemba, a former NIRSAL staff member, nine days after FIJ reported on the company’s delay in disbursing Egemba’s pension arrears. Egemba acknowledged the payment, stating that the firm admitted the delay as their error.