Nigeria: CJID Announces Shortlist for 2026 Excellence in Journalism Awards

What the report says

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has announced the final shortlist for its 2026 Excellence in Media Awards, which recognise journalism across West Africa. According to the AllAfrica-distributed article, the shortlist was drawn from 424 entries submitted by 277 journalists from nine countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone and others in the region. CJID said this was the third edition of the awards since 2024 and that submissions rose sharply from the previous year.

The selection process involved an initial screening followed by review from an independent jury of regional journalists. The panel was chaired by Hannah Ajakaiye, founding editor of FactsMatter NG, and included media professionals from outlets and organisations such as GIJN, CCIJ, The Africa Report and Deutsche Welle. The judges assessed entries on factors including accuracy, fairness, originality, research depth, writing quality and public significance.

Finalists span eight categories: health reporting, community reporting, human rights, social accountability, climate change, solutions journalism, fact-checking, and sexual and gender-based violence. The shortlist includes work on detention deaths in Ghana, illegal rosewood trade in Nigeria, a cross-border food import scandal in The Gambia, lead exposure from battery recycling, and other investigations and service journalism pieces. CJID also said no winner would be named in the Editor of the Year category because the submissions did not meet the criteria.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for 25 November 2026 in Abuja, alongside the Media and Development Conference. CJID said the programme is supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abuja and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.