Celebrating Excellence in West African Journalism: The CJID Awards Shine Bright
In a vibrant showcase of talent and dedication, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) recently honored 13 outstanding journalists at the prestigious 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards. This important event took place at the Abuja Continental Hotel on November 26 and formed part of the annual Media and Development conference organized by CJID, a hallmark event focused on fostering growth and innovation in the journalism sector across West Africa.
The 2025 awards marked the second edition of this esteemed recognition, which aims to celebrate exceptional contributions in journalism, fact-checking, media innovation, and community-focused reporting throughout the region. This year, a remarkable 275 entries were received from journalists, showcasing a diverse range of stories that were ultimately narrowed down to 35 finalists through a rigorous screening process.
An independent panel of six judges meticulously evaluated these entries, taking into account criteria such as accuracy, storytelling quality, research depth, public significance, and overall ethical adherence. Ajibola Amzat, Africa Editor at the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ), provided insights into the judging process. He emphasized the importance of fairness and innovation in journalism, stating that “the impact and public significance of the stories were paramount in our decision-making.”
Among the standout category winners was Sodeeq Atanda from the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who clinched the award for his riveting two-part series on sexual and gender-based violence, shedding light on pressing societal issues. In the Social Accountability category, Evans Aziamor-Mensah from The Fourth Estate was recognized for his investigative piece revealing governmental inadequacies in providing essential internet services to schools.
Notably, Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi from HumAngle Media triumphed in the Health category with a report addressing the urgent health crisis stemming from deforestation in southwestern Nigeria. This highlights the increasing intersection of environmental issues and health, which is becoming a crucial area of focus in contemporary journalism.
Despite the competitive atmosphere, some categories did not yield award recipients this year, particularly in climate change reporting. This was due to a perceived lack of adherence to established standards among submissions, underlining the need for heightened awareness and expertise in this critical area.
While the “Editor of the Year” accolade was not awarded this year due to challenges in determining a fair winner, the CJID committee has promised a reevaluation, aiming for a reintroduction in future editions. This reflects an ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards within the industry.
In conclusion, the 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards illustrate the vibrant and diverse journalistic landscape in West Africa. As new challenges arise, these awards serve not only to recognize excellence but also to inspire and uplift dedicated journalists committed to truth and community service. Through continued support and innovation, the future of journalism in West Africa looks bright.
Stay tuned for more updates as the field continues to evolve!
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