Beyond just Numbers: CLA Students Explore the Power of Data Journalism.

The Three-day clinic organised by the Department of Communication and Language Arts and Dataphyte Academy introduces students to data-driven reporting and storytelling.

For many people, data is simply a collection of numbers, figures and statistics. But for journalists, these numbers can tell stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.

This was one of the key lessons from a Data Journalism Clinic organised by the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan, in collaboration with Dataphyte Academy.

The clinic, which was held from October 20 to 22, 2026, at the Postgraduate Seminar Room, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, brought together "eager to learn students" and exceptional facilitators to explore how data can be used to produce accurate, engaging and evidence-based stories.

The programme featured sessions led by Khadija Kareem, Managing Editor of Dataphyte; Professor B. R. Ojebuyi, Head of the Department of Communication and Language Arts; and Abdulahi Adebayo, Programme Manager at Dataphyte Foundation.

The first day introduced participants to the concept of data journalism and its relevance to modern reporting.

Khadija Kareem explained how journalists can find, examine, analyse and visualise data to tell meaningful stories. The session highlighted the importance of going beyond assumptions and using evidence to support journalistic reports.

For aspiring journalists, the lesson was straightforward: numbers are not just figures to be presented in a report. When properly examined and explained, they can reveal patterns, highlight problems and help audiences understand issues that affect them.

The opening sessions also featured remarks from the Head of Department, Professor B. R. Ojebuyi; the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, represented by the Sub-Dean General, Dr Amenaghawon; and the Country Director of Dataphyte Foundation, Mr Oluseyi Olufemi.

Their participation marked the beginning of the training, which aimed to strengthen students' understanding of data-driven reporting and its practical applications.

Another important session was facilitated by Mr Abdulahi Adebayo, who discussed the role of policy in data journalism.

He emphasised the need for journalists to understand the policies behind the issues they investigate and to ask questions about the institutions and people responsible for making and implementing them.

The session reinforced an important principle of journalism: finding data is only the beginning. Journalists must also understand what the data represents, investigate the circumstances surrounding it and examine the decisions or actions that may have influenced the figures.

This approach is particularly relevant to public-interest reporting, where data can help journalists examine government policies, question institutions and draw attention to issues that require public discussion.

Beyond understanding the concept, participants were introduced to the practical process of developing a data story.

Khadija Kareem outlined the basic steps involved, beginning with story ideation and identifying the questions a journalist wants to answer. This is followed by sourcing relevant data, preparing it for analysis through cleaning and sorting, and finally using the findings to tell a compelling story.

Participants also learnt about tools that can support these processes, including Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Power BI, Tableau, Datawrapper and Flourish.

These tools help journalists organise information, identify patterns, compare figures and present findings through charts, maps and other visual formats.

The sessions showed that data journalism does not end with collecting statistics. Journalists must be able to interpret the information correctly and present it in a way that audiences can understand.

The subsequent sessions focused on practical exercises involving data sourcing, cleaning, visualisation and writing data stories.

These activities provided participants with an opportunity to engage with the processes discussed during the earlier sessions and understand how they could be applied in actual reporting.

For students of Communication and Language Arts, the training also offered lessons that extend beyond journalism. The ability to work with data can support academic research, assignments and projects, particularly when evidence is needed to explain a problem or support an argument.

As journalism continues to evolve alongside digital technology, the ability to combine traditional reporting skills with data analysis and visual storytelling is becoming increasingly valuable.

The three-day clinic ended on October 22, bringing the sessions to a close after three days of learning and practical engagement.

Beyond the tools introduced, the programme highlighted the importance of curiosity, critical thinking and evidence in journalism. It reminded participants that behind every dataset is information that must be carefully examined before it can become a credible story.

For student journalists preparing to enter an increasingly data-driven media industry, the experience offered an opportunity to develop skills that can strengthen their reporting and broaden their approach to storytelling.

Ultimately, data journalism is not just about working with numbers. It is about asking the right questions, finding reliable evidence and turning information into stories that help people better understand the world around them.