The Evidence for Solutions Journalism

Key Learning and Insights at the Solutions Journalism Africa Summit in Abuja

By Ramatu Ada Ochekliye

At the Solutions Journalism Africa Summit in Abuja, I sat with a familiar mix of curiosity and anticipation. More than ever, it felt clear to me that the future of storytelling depends on how deliberately we engage with data, knowledge, and the insights we can glean from there. Without data to ground our assumptions, without research to guide our methods, and without insights to shape our decisions, even the most passionate storytelling risks speaking into a void.

So, as I settled in my seat during the knowledge management presentation, I carried with me a simple conviction: if we truly want stories to shift perception, restore trust, and influence action, then we must learn from what the data reveals about our audiences, our content, and our impact.

Nigeria: Assessing the Uptake of Solutions Journalism

Anwuli Nwankwo, the Knowledge Management Lead at Nigeria Health Watch, shared insights from a recent study titled Assessing the Uptake of Solutions Journalism in Nigeria Across the Media Landscape: A Mixed Method Study. For years, Nigeria Health Watch has worked behind the scenes to advance solutions journalism in the country, quietly building evidence and supporting practitioners who seek to tell more constructive stories.

The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data to understand how Nigerians engage with solutions journalism. In addition, the team conducted extensive social listening across twenty social media platforms to capture audience reactions to solutions-focused stories. This listening exercise revealed significant interest in positive narratives, but it also uncovered a deeper challenge: more than 80 percent of Nigerians do not understand what solutions journalism truly means.

At the heart of the study was a single aim: to evaluate the level of adoption and audience acceptance of solutions journalism across Nigeria. This work was grounded in an awareness of Nigeria’s current news environment, where reporting is often critiqued for its strong emphasis on problem-centred narratives. Such reporting, while important for exposing issues, can foster feelings of despair among audiences.

The findings were striking. Approximately 71 percent of respondents reported having little to no knowledge of solutions journalism, and 70 percent were uncertain about the sources of the stories they encountered. The emotional impact of traditional news was also evident. Fifty-eight percent said they often feel hopeless or discouraged when consuming problem-focused news coverage, while an overwhelming 77 percent believed they would feel more hopeful and encouraged if news stories included information about responses and solutions.

Distrust in the media also emerged as a barrier, with 19 percent of respondents expressing scepticism. Anwuli noted that a solutions journalism approach may act as a powerful antidote to this distrust by providing evidence-based reporting that shows what is working and why.

The research also underscored the dominance of social media as a primary source of news among Nigerians. Despite the low awareness of solutions journalism, the digital ecosystem provides an opportunity to expand its reach.

To increase the uptake of solutions journalism in Nigeria, the study offered several recommendations. These include the adoption and institutionalisation of solutions journalism across media organisations, greater public awareness and understanding of the solutions approach, strategic use of social media as a major leverage point, and strengthened capacity building and funding to support journalists who wish to tell solutions-focused stories.

Through this work, Anwuli and her team highlight both a challenge and an opportunity: while awareness of solutions journalism remains low, the appetite for more constructive, hopeful reporting is undeniably strong.

Kenya and Nigeria: Stories That Spark Change

Caroline Karobia, the Africa Initiative Manager at the Solutions Journalism Network, presented insights from her study titled Stories That Spark Change: Insights from the Africa Initiative in Kenya. The study set out to explore what is working in the practice of solutions journalism in both Nigeria and Kenya, two countries where the model has gained increasing attention.

To understand this landscape, Caroline and her team employed a qualitative multi-method evaluation. The study drew on thirty in-depth interviews with journalists, editors, and educators, offering a rich understanding of newsroom dynamics. It also included two focus group discussions with community members who regularly consume solutions journalism stories, as well as a WhatsApp-based reflection exercise involving two hundred active Nigerian journalists. Together, these methods created a comprehensive picture of how solutions journalism is practiced, received, and sustained.

The findings revealed a powerful trend: solutions journalism stories are often more popular than traditional news stories. They have a longer shelf life, remaining relevant and engaging long after their initial publication. The study also noted that solutions replication is both common and rapid, as ideas highlighted in solutions stories are often adopted, adapted, and implemented quickly by various actors.

Caroline observed that solutions journalism builds community trust in important ways. Many community members shared that solutions-focused stories remind them of their own agency and inspire collective action. The impact goes beyond the community as well. The study found that solutions journalism can prompt faster government follow-up, as authorities respond more quickly to stories that highlight effective responses rather than just problems.

Despite these strengths, reporters face notable internal challenges. Many journalists prefer not to label their work as “solutions journalism” to avoid misconceptions or pushback from editors, signalling an internal barrier within newsroom cultures. A major challenge is the persistent confusion between solutions journalism and public relations. Journalists often struggle to clarify the editorial purpose of solutions reporting to colleagues and audiences, who may mistakenly perceive it as advocacy or promotion.

Funding also emerged as a significant constraint. Many media outlets lack dedicated budgets for solutions reporting, which often requires travel, time, and in-depth investigation. As a result, journalists frequently depend on external grants in order to pursue and produce these stories.

Through this study, Caroline highlighted both the transformative potential of solutions journalism and the practical challenges that must be addressed to strengthen its adoption. The evidence shows that when solutions stories are told well, they engage audiences but also spark action, build trust, and inspire change across communities and institutions.

East Africa: Uptake of Solutions Journalism

Daniel Otunge, the Deputy Executive Director of Science Africa, presented findings from the study, The Uptake of Solutions Journalism in East Africa. He began by noting that Science Africa, with support from the Solutions Journalism Network, introduced solutions journalism to the East African region in 2020. Since then, the organisation has worked to understand how this approach has been adopted, perceived, and integrated into media practice across multiple countries.

To examine the state of solutions journalism in East Africa, the study gathered both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 389 respondents participated in the quantitative survey, while 36 key informants contributed rich qualitative insights. These participants included editors, reporters, correspondents, journalists, students, and other members of the media ecosystem, providing an inclusive picture of the region’s media landscape.

One of the key findings was that most media organisations across East Africa do not have dedicated solutions journalism desks. As a result, the practice often remains informal or dependent on individual journalists rather than being institutionally supported. The study also investigated audience engagement with solutions journalism stories and assessed whether policy changes could be linked to the publication of such stories.

Daniel highlighted several challenges that affected the adoption of solutions journalism in the four countries studied. These challenges included a lack of training and resources, limited editorial support, persistent audience preference for traditional problem-focused reporting styles, and insufficient funding for in-depth solutions reporting. Together, these barriers reveal the structural and cultural changes required for solutions journalism to take deeper root.

Despite these challenges, the study offered a clear set of recommendations to strengthen the uptake of solutions journalism across the region. These recommendations include increased training and capacity building for journalists, as well as financial and logistical support to enable thorough reporting. The study also emphasised the need for stronger institutional support and sustained media engagement, along with greater partnerships and collaborations across newsrooms and organisations. Public awareness and engagement campaigns, along with recognition and incentives for solutions journalism practitioners, were also highlighted as essential steps toward creating an enabling environment for the practice.

Through this work, Daniel underscored that while solutions journalism is still emerging in East Africa, there is strong potential for growth. With the right support systems, training, and investment, solutions journalism can contribute meaningfully to a more constructive and impactful media landscape across the region.

Panel Reflections and Insights

The final panel of the Solutions Journalism Africa Summit was moderated by Nina Fasciaux, Director of Partnerships and Fellowships at the Solutions Journalism Network. With her thoughtful and measured approach, she guided the conversation around collaboration, impact, and sustainability, asking pointed questions that invited reflection from the speakers.

Nina opened by asking how the initiative could foster collaboration beyond its current scope and what had surprised the speakers most in their work with Solutions Journalism. She emphasized the enduring values of humility and determination as cornerstones of good journalism and encouraged the panelists to reflect on lessons learned and future steps.

Caroline Karobia spoke first. She highlighted the replicability of Solutions Journalism, noting that initiatives such as university-based Solutions Stories Challenges could be expanded beyond their current regions into East and West Africa. “What surprises me most,” Caroline admitted, “is the impact of the stories themselves. When we offer grants for stories through a solutions lens, the quality is consistently extraordinary. In Rwanda, for instance, every single story we funded went on to win awards.” She noted that the influence of these stories extends beyond recognition—they actively spark change in the communities they highlight.

Reflecting on lessons learned, Caroline acknowledged a key internal challenge: engaging editors sooner. “We took too long to carry editors along,” she said. “Now we understand how crucial their role is in shaping both editorial buy-in and story impact. Funding remains a constraint, but we hope to secure more resources next year to scale these efforts.”

Daniel Otunge shared his perspective from East Africa. “Our success came from working through media networks,” he explained. “Journalists thrive in associations, and leveraging these networks allowed Solutions Journalism to flourish. One single solutions-focused story can catalyze change not only within a community but across entire regions, even countries.” He highlighted how the practice also brought attention to overlooked areas, giving communities recognition and tangible benefits.

Looking back, Daniel identified early engagement with schools as a missed opportunity. “The future of Solutions Journalism lies in academics,” he reflected. “Universities can graduate a new generation of journalists trained in this model. We need to work with schools, editors, and development organisations to create systemic change in media practices and policies.”

Chibuike Alagboso, Director of Media Programmes at Nigeria Health Watch, added a perspective rooted in community engagement. “We began Solutions Journalism in 2020 to ensure that communities are carried along in the stories we tell,” he said. He candidly shared his own journey: “I was given the responsibility to lead the Solutions Journalism Africa Initiative, and I was afraid. I surprised myself, and I am grateful to my Managing Director, Vivienne, for trusting me with this role.”

Chibuike reflected on what he would have done differently, citing insights from research that could have shaped earlier actions. “At the beginning, we should have provided editors with context, showing them exactly what audiences want to see,” he said. Looking to the future, he shared a vision for sustainability: partnerships with universities and lecturers, collaboration with government agencies under the Ministry of Information to secure budgeted funding for Solutions Journalism, and community reporting trips where journalists are trained and embedded in the realities of the communities they cover.

As the discussion drew to a close, a clear theme emerged: Solutions Journalism is not merely a method; it is a mindset and a commitment to impact. From replicable models in universities to the transformative power of a single story, the initiative demonstrates that when journalists choose solutions, they do not just tell better stories—they create pathways for real change. The panel left the audience with a vision of collaboration, intentionality, and the importance of grounding storytelling in evidence, insight, and community engagement.

Solutions Journalism as a Mindset Shift

As I listened to all three speakers, one truth became undeniable: Solutions Journalism is not simply a method; it is a shift in mindset and responsibility. It asks us to move beyond documenting what is broken and invites us to illuminate what is working, why it works, and how others can learn from it.

The research confirmed it. The stories illustrated it. And the reflections made it clear that our next steps must be bold, collaborative, and intentional.

By the time the Summit ended, I realised that what we gained was inspiration and clarity. Knowledge had grounded us. Data had humbled us. Insights had sharpened our vision. The work ahead is not guesswork; it is guided by evidence that shows exactly where our audiences are, what they feel, and what they need from us.

If stories are going to shape identity, restore trust, and spark action across communities, then we must approach this work with the discipline of learners. We must keep asking questions, seeking data, and interrogating our assumptions. Only then can our storytelling become not just a reflection of society, but a tool for transformation.

This is what happens when journalists choose solutions. The evidence for solutions journalism is that journalists tell better stories. They make better futures possible.

Anwuli Nwankwo at the Solutions Journalism Africa Summit in Abuja