Nigerian Reporter Wins UN Fellowship to Cover Deserts

When Abdulkareem Mojeed opened his email from the United Nations, he discovered he'd beaten hundreds of applicants from across the globe for a rare opportunity to tell stories that matter.

The PREMIUM TIMES journalist is heading to Mongolia this year as one of just six reporters worldwide selected for the UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship. He's the only African journalist chosen for the fully funded program.

The fellowship will take Mojeed to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where 197 countries will gather to tackle desertification, land degradation and drought. These aren't abstract environmental issues. They're forces displacing families, destroying farmland and threatening food security across Africa and beyond.

The UN praised Mojeed's "quality of reporting track record" and his commitment to covering how land degradation impacts real communities. His application stood out among a flood of entries from journalists in multiple languages and regions.

Five other reporters join him: Eric Kasina from Kenya, Shagun Kapil from India, Ángeles Lucas from Spain, Rafael Cardoso from Brazil, and Gonzalo Ortuño from Mexico. Together, they'll cover two weeks of negotiations, ministerial dialogues and discussions on science-backed solutions.

Mojeed sees the fellowship as a chance to spotlight challenges facing rangelands and grazing routes in Nigeria and across Africa. "I view my selection as a rare opportunity to highlight important stories that will inform the public about how land degradation, drought and desertification are affecting lives and livelihoods," he said.

The Ripple Effect

This recognition extends beyond one journalist. Mojeed brings a science background in botany and ecology to his environmental reporting, translating complex issues into stories people can understand and act on.

He's already covered major climate events across Kenya, Egypt, Dubai, Azerbaijan and Switzerland. His work has earned him spots in prestigious programs like the SEJ Diversity Fellowship in Philadelphia and the Conservation Reporting Fellowship with Mongabay.

In 2025, he was the sole African selected for New York University's esteemed environmental journalism program, though visa restrictions prevented his participation. Now he gets another platform to amplify voices from communities watching their land disappear.

The COP17 conference will explore solutions ranging from drought resilience to sustainable land management. Delegates will discuss everything from rangeland restoration to soil health and water security.

When millions of acres turn to desert, families lose their livelihoods, and journalists like Mojeed ensure their stories don't disappear too.