Advancing Media Inclusivity Ahead of #OsunDecides2026 and Beyond: TAF Africa Convenes Media Executives, Regulators, and PWD Leaders for Reflection Meeting on Inclusive Reporting in Osun State

Oshogbo, Osun State — Wednesday, 22nd July 2026

As Osun State moves closer to a new election cycle under the banner of #OsunDecides2026, TAF Africa is working to ensure that the voices of women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are not just heard, but meaningfully reflected in how the media covers the process — and beyond.

In collaboration with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, International Press Centre (IPC) Nigeria, and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), TAF Africa convened a Reflection Meeting with Media Executives, Regulators, and PWD Leadership on Media Inclusivity in Oshogbo, Osun State. The event brought together over 50 delegates, including senior media executives, regulators, and staff from implementing partner organisations, for a full day of dialogue, reflection, and practical skill-building.

A Day of Reflection and Action

The meeting opened with welcome remarks from TAF Africa, followed by a session from IPC providing an overview of the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU SDGN) programme and its partners, alongside updates on inclusive reporting practices and the Media Code of Election Coverage.

Two standout interactive sessions anchored the day’s programme:

“Whose Story Made the News?” — an opening exercise led by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund that challenged participants to critically examine whose perspectives are typically centred, and whose are left out, in everyday news coverage.
“You Are the Editor” — an interactive editorial challenge involving all participants, designed to put media professionals in the decision-making seat and confront the real editorial choices that shape inclusive — or exclusive — coverage.

Between these sessions, CEMESO led a presentation and review of the Media Inclusivity Guidelines, giving media executives and regulators a shared framework for evaluating and improving how their outlets represent women and PWDs.

The day also introduced a forward-looking initiative: IPC and CEMESO jointly presented a Mentorship and Follow-up Framework for Media Houses, laying the groundwork for sustained support and accountability well beyond the meeting itself. The programme closed with an open reflections session hosted by TAF Africa, giving delegates the chance to share commitments and chart a way forward.

Why This Work Matters

Inclusive media coverage is not a peripheral issue — it is central to a functioning democracy. When women and Persons with Disabilities are excluded from media narratives, their concerns, candidacies, and contributions risk being excluded from public discourse and decision-making as well. By bringing media executives, regulators, and PWD leadership into the same room, this reflection meeting created space for honest conversation about current gaps and shared commitment to closing them.

Inclusive media = Inclusive democracy. Together, we are making it happen.

Funding and Partnership

This high-level engagement was made possible through the generous support of the European Union in Nigeria, delivered through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU SDGN) programme.

TAF Africa remains committed to championing disability inclusion and driving equitable representation across every sector of public life — including the newsrooms that shape how Nigerians see themselves and each other.

TAF Africa Joins the Citizens’ Townhall Meeting on Osun

TAF Africa Trains 150 PWD Observers for #OsunDecides2026 Governorship Election

TAF Africa, under the Able2Vote initiative, has completed a two-day training for 150 Persons with Disabilities (PWD) as Election Observers ahead of the Osun State Governorship Election, supported by the EU-SDGN Programme. Osogbo, Osun State — 23rd–24th July 2026 Ahead of the highly anticipated #OsunDecides2026 Governorship Election, TAF Africa has equipped 150 Persons with Disabilities across Osun State with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to serve as credible, independent election observers. The two-day Election Observers Training took place in Osogbo under TAF Africa’s Able2Vote initiative and the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme. Building Skilled, Confident Observers The training opened with registration and an official welcome session, where George Anwayi, Assistant Programme Manager at TAF Africa, introduced participants to the workshop’s purpose and objectives. This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Andrew Adaji, Programme Manager at TAF Africa, providing an overview of TAF Africa’s Election Inclusion Strategy under the EU-SDGN Programme — setting the stage for why PWD-led observation matters for a truly representative democratic process. Participants then moved into practical, skills-focused sessions covering: The Role of Election Observers — expected conduct, security tips, and personal safety guidance for observers on election day, led by George Anwayi. Using the Observers’ Checklist — practical guidance on applying the checklist effectively to ensure accurate and credible reporting. The TAF Disability Hub App — a hands-on session led by Kohol Iornav, IT Officer at TAF Africa, walking participants through the app’s use for observation and reporting, including a live demonstration of uploading reports and eyewitness entries directly from the field. The day’s learning was reinforced through group discussions and role play, giving observers the chance to practice real election-day scenarios before the training closed with a reflection session and closing remarks from Dr. Andrew Adaji. Why This Training Matters Election observation is only as credible as the people carrying it out — and only as inclusive as the voices it represents. By training 150 Persons with Disabilities as official observers, TAF Africa is ensuring that the accessibility and inclusiveness of the Osun State Governorship Election is monitored by people who understand disability inclusion firsthand. Armed with the TAF Disability Hub App, these observers will be able to document real-time, credible reports and eyewitness accounts directly from polling locations across the state. This effort reflects TAF Africa’s continued commitment to disability inclusion in governance and electoral processes — ensuring that Inclusive Democracy is not just a slogan, but a lived reality for Osun State voters. Partnership and Support This training was delivered under TAF Africa’s Able2Vote initiative, with support from the European Union in Nigeria through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme.

TAF Africa Successful Election Observation Mission on Disability Inclusion and the Overall Voting Experience Of Persons With Disabilities at the 2026 Ekiti State Gubernatorial Election

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Over 300 Persons with Disabilities Sensitised as TAF Africa Takes Able2Vote to Six Communities in Osun State

In six communities across Osun State, a quiet but powerful shift is underway. Persons with disabilities who have historically been sidelined at the polls are now being equipped, informed, and encouraged to claim their place in the democratic process — one conversation at a time. Between July 13 and July 17, TAF Africa’s Able2Vote campaign convened no fewer than 50 persons with disabilities at each of six venues across Osun State, reaching over 300 PWDs with direct voter education and civic sensitisation ahead of the August 15, 2026 off-cycle election and the 2027 general elections. Where the Outreach Happened # Community LGA Date 1 Alapa Ede North July 13 2 Ayiwola Iwo July 13 3 Ifelodun Ifelodun July 15 4 Ilorunshogo Osogbo July 15 5 Ireakiari Ife Central July 17 6 Iretayo Ilesa West July 17 At every stop, the message was the same: your vote matters, your voice counts, and your disability should never be a barrier to participation. Facilitators walked participants through the voting process, addressed the accessibility challenges many had faced or feared, and encouraged them to show up — not just as spectators of democracy, but as active participants in shaping it. Why It Matters Persons with disabilities are too often an afterthought in electoral planning — overlooked in accessibility provisions, undercounted at polling units, and underrepresented in political conversations. Able2Vote exists to change that story, one community at a time. By reaching over 300 PWDs in a single week across Osun State, TAF Africa is not just distributing information — it is building confidence, correcting misinformation, and reinforcing a simple truth: an election is only as credible as it is inclusive. This outreach forms part of TAF Africa’s broader Able2Vote campaign, implemented under the EU-SDGN Programme, which works to: Promote equal participation of PWDs in the electoral process Increase voter turnout among PWDs Improve the accessibility of electoral processes for PWDs Enhance political awareness and civic engagement among PWDs Strengthen accountability among electoral stakeholders Looking Ahead With the August 15, 2026 off-cycle election fast approaching and the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the sensitisation delivered in these six communities is more than an event — it is an investment in turnout, in confidence, and in a more inclusive democracy for Osun State and beyond. TAF Africa will continue to expand the reach of Able2Vote, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not just counted among the electorate, but heard, seen, and represented at the polls. Democracy becomes meaningful only when no one is excluded or left behind.