Dear Reader,
In a time of rapid socioeconomic and technological change, the ability to understand emerging challenges and respond with evidence remains essential for building accountable institutions and informed communities.
In July 2026, Dataphyte Foundation advanced its work to strengthen democratic governance and sustainable development through Access, Insight and Resourcing. Across its programmes, the Foundation expanded access to evidence, produced evidence-driven policy insights to influence public and policy actions, and invested in the people and tools that strengthen accountability.
From supporting civic participation ahead of the Osun 2026 Governorship Election, equipping young Nigerians with skills to advocate for methane emission accountability, contributing to responsible technology and gender-responsive governance, to publishing data-driven analysis on critical national issues, Dataphyte’s work in July advanced its commitment to strengthening data accessibility and using evidence to promote accountable democratic governance and sustainable development.
This newsletter highlights the activities, engagements and insights that shaped Dataphyte’s work in July 2026.
World Youth Skills Day 2026
As the world commemorated the 2026 World Youth Skills Day, themed “Skills for a Shared Future,” Dataphyte Foundation joined other stakeholders to call for increased investment in digital and technical skills for young people. Through Dataphyte Academy, over 2,000 young Nigerians have been trained over the past two years in data analysis, data storytelling and digital technologies, giving them the skills to access opportunities that strengthen their livelihood, strategically positioning them to contribute to innovations shaping the digital world, as well as contribute to strengthening the digital transformation in Nigeria.
Strengthening Citizens-centred Election Accountability and Result Management
Credible elections rely on independent observation and evidence-driven civic engagements as much as they do on the work of electoral officials.
Ahead of the 2026 Osun Governorship Election - one of Nigeria’s fiercely contested gubernatorial elections- Dataphyte Foundation called for young citizens-led observers across the 30 Local governments in Osun State. Contributing to Dataphyte’s Election Integrity and Accountability Project, which aims to strengthen citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and transparent electoral processes through data-driven reporting, real-time election updates, analysis, visualisations and evidence-based civic engagement, the observers will leverage Nigeria Election Data Observatory (NEDO) mobile application to document election activities and results across polling units and RA/wards collation centres, respectively, including pre-election activities, voting procedures, incidents, result collation and post-election activities.
Through this initiative and Dataphyte Election Portal, Dataphyte continues to resource the ecosystem with access to real-time election data, insights and data-driven reports, as well as enhanced resource capacity necessary for evidence-driven policymaking and electoral system reforms in Nigeria.
Dataphyte Joins Launch of Nigeria's Gender-Responsive Auditing Framework
Public finance decisions affect women and men differently, yet gender considerations in public finance, specifically in public auditing, often receive limited attention.
On 14 July, Dataphyte's Programme Executive, Funmilayo Babatunde, participated in the Women in Public Sector Audit in Nigeria (WiPSA) Leadership Dialogue organised by the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), and the International Budget Partnership (IBP).
The dialogue focused on how public audits can better advance gender equality and social inclusion, while also marking the launch of Nigeria's Gender-Responsive Auditing Framework. The engagement also provided an opportunity to contribute to efforts aimed at making public institutions more inclusive and responsive to the needs of women and other underserved groups.
20 Young Nigerians Trained to Advance Methane Transparency and Climate Action
Methane emissions contribute significantly to climate change, but limited access to information can affect public understanding of their impact and citizens-led advocacy for enhancing methane emission accountability and extractive governance.
To support citizens-led advocacy and community storytelling on methane emission accountability and extractive governance, Dataphyte Foundation, in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), trained 20 young Nigerians on methane emissions accountability, Nigeria’s climate commitments, the Emissions Monitoring and Accountability Tool (EMAT), and data storytelling.
This training equipped the participants with skills and tools to produce evidence-based methane emission stories, highlight community experiences and communicate climate issues more effectively. Additionally, Dataphyte developed a community storytelling toolkit to document guides for community storytelling and advocacy on methane emission accountability and extractive governance in Nigeria.
Advancing Digital Rights Through Evidence and Policy Engagement
Dataphyte Foundation as the Co-chair of the digital technology and governance thematic group of the national open government partnership (OGP), joined other stakeholders at TechHer’s National Policy Dialogue on Rights, Justice and Digital Safety in Nigeria, which marked the launch of the “Toxic Tech: Understanding and Addressing Online Violence Against Vulnerable Groups” research. While the dialogue focused on discussing the findings from the research and the growing need to address technology-facilitated harms, protect citizens’ rights and improve digital safety in Nigeria, it reinforces evidence from our just-concluded advocacy on technology-facilitated gender-based violence and ongoing digital rights work.
This participation reflects Dataphyte Foundation’s continued work in promoting evidence-based approaches to governance and accountability, including issues that affect citizens’ access to safe and inclusive digital spaces.
Dataphyte Insights at a Glance | July 2026
Throughout July 2026, Dataphyte's Insights produced evidence-based analysis, investigative reports and data stories examining some of Nigeria's most pressing governance, development and public policy issues. Across elections, gender, technology, climate and the economy, the month's publications combined data with context to support informed public understanding and accountability.
Gender issues featured prominently through SenorRita, which examined how geography, poverty and unequal access to education continue to shape child marriage across Nigeria. Drawing on national data, the publication showed how where a girl is born can significantly influence her chances of completing her education before marriage, highlighting the structural inequalities that continue to affect millions of girls. Read more.
As preparations intensified for the Osun Governorship Election, election reporting turned attention to public participation and electoral integrity. An analysis of two decades of governorship elections in Osun revealed a steady decline in voter turnout despite increasing voter registration, while a separate review of the Ekiti Governorship Election examined vote buying, alterations to polling unit result sheets and inconsistencies in official election figures, providing deeper insight into the challenges affecting Nigeria's electoral process.
Beyond elections, July's publications also focused on the growing influence of technology and climate on governance. One article discussed why Nigeria needs clear rules and accountability as artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life, while another investigated methane emissions reporting in the oil and gas sector, uncovering major gaps in corporate disclosure despite the country's climate commitments. Another publication also examined healthcare, technology, climate and the economy. An investigation into Nigeria's state health budgets found that most states remain below the African Union's 15 per cent health funding benchmark, with many also releasing less than half of their approved health budgets.
The month's reporting also assessed President Bola Tinubu's agricultural policies three years into office, comparing government commitments with budget allocations, agricultural investments and food prices. The analysis found that while investment in the sector has increased, rising food costs continue to shape the realities faced by many Nigerian households.
Through these publications, Dataphyte continued to provide evidence that informs public debate, supports accountability and makes complex national issues easier to understand. Read the full articles on Dataphyte Insights.
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