The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has revealed the finalists for the 2026 Alfred Opubor Next-Gen Awards for Campus Journalism. This recognition highlights exceptional student journalists dedicated to public-interest reporting, accountability, and elevating underrepresented voices.
The annual awards, part of CJID’s Next Gen Campus Reporter Project, honor emerging journalists who employ evidence-based storytelling to explore critical issues and contribute to public discourse. The awards are named after Alfred Opubor, Nigeria’s first Professor of Mass Communication, in recognition of his significant contributions to communication and journalism education.
Since its launch in 2018, the Alfred Opubor Awards have provided a platform for mentoring and celebrating outstanding student journalists from various Nigerian universities. Over its history, the awards have recognized 40 winners across different categories, including Investigative Reporting, Gender, Environment, Health, and Accountability Journalism.
This year marks a shift from the previous edition, which awarded only the top three stories to a more inclusive structure encompassing six distinct categories: Investigative Journalism, Community Reporting, Data Journalism, Campus Affairs, Health Reporting, and Reporting on Inclusion. A total of 12 campus journalists have been named as finalists, with one overall winner to be determined.
The finalists were selected from submissions by undergraduate journalists from several Nigerian tertiary institutions. Their entries address various public-interest matters, showcasing the vital role of campus journalism in documenting institutional challenges and community concerns while holding authorities accountable.
Osaruonamen Ibizugbe, the Project Officer of the Next Gen Campus Reporter Programme, confirmed that all finalists have been contacted via email, stating that the volume of applications prevented individual communication with all applicants. The official unveiling of the finalists will occur at the forthcoming award ceremony.
Busola Ajibola, the Deputy Director of CJID’s Journalism Programme, emphasized the awards’ importance in recognizing originality, accuracy, ethical reporting, and a strong connection to the communities served by the journalists.
The winners will be revealed during CJID’s annual Media and Development Conference (MDC) at the CJID Excellence in Journalism Dinner and Award Night. The overall winner will receive a plaque, a cash prize, and an international internship opportunity, while other winners and runners-up will be awarded plaques, cash prizes, and certificates of recognition.
CJID congratulates all the finalists and acknowledges the impact of their journalism in advocating for accountability and ethical reporting.
