Baze University Student Wins Inaugural Nigerian Identity Journalism Award at 2025 Campus Journalism Awards
A student of the Mass Communication Department of Baze University, Ubel Albert Ekanem has won the maiden Nigerian Identity Journalism Award at the 7th Campus Journalism Awards (CJA) held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. The new category was introduced by Youths Digest in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) under its Nigerian Identity Project.
The award recognises young journalists whose work promotes the core values of the National Values Charter (NVC), which include integrity, patriotism, unity, peace and social responsibility. It was presented by the Director General of the NOA, Alhaji Lanre Issa-Onilu, who was represented by the Director of Youth Engagement and Inclusion, Mrs. Blessing Oyem.
The Baze University student earned the honour with an article published in the Nigerian Tribune on October 1, 2025 titled “From Heritage to Hope: Nigeria’s Journey at 65.” The piece, which highlighted the essence of the Nigerian Identity, was selected from 39 finalists shortlisted for the category.
Youths Digest and NOA said the new award is designed to encourage young journalists to use their platforms to promote value-driven storytelling and strengthen Nigeria’s shared identity.
At the ceremony, Usman Bashir Abubakar, a Law student from the University of Maiduguri, emerged Overall Campus Journalist of the Year after excelling in an article writing competition and competitive public speaking before an independent jury.
In his remarks, the Convener, Gidado Yushau Shuaib, described the awards as a national youth-driven movement committed to truth, accountability and transformational storytelling. He noted that the initiative has grown to a network of more than 3,000 campus journalists from over 100 tertiary institutions since its launch in 2018. He added that the 2025 edition attracted nearly 400 entries from over 80 institutions, bringing total submissions since inception to more than 2,500.
“You are the heartbeat of this movement,” Shuaib told the finalists, praising young reporters who use their pens and cameras to challenge power and rewrite the story of the nation.
Over the years, the initiative has expanded beyond the awards to include the Campus Journalism Dialogue introduced in 2019 at Bayero University Kano and the online #CJDChat series, which has generated more than 1,000 engagements and over 100,000 impressions. The keynote address on the theme “AI and the Future of Journalism” was delivered by PRNigeria Publisher, Yushau A. Shuaib.
The 2025 ceremony drew commendations from dignitaries including representatives of the Minister of State for Education, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Alhaji Ali M. Ali, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, and the Registrar of Baze University, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi.
Other notable guests included Amnesty International Country Director Isa Sanusi, Nigeria Customs Service Spokesperson DCC Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, Managing Director of News Central TV Kayode Akintemi, former Army spokesperson Brigadier General S. K. Usman (rtd), Editor in Chief of LEADERSHIP Newspapers Azubuike Ishiekwene, AANI General Secretary Dr Khalifa Mohammed mni, Chairman of Image Merchants Professor Sule Yau Sule, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media Abdulaziz and representatives from NOA, NIPR and NFIU.
Shuaib also acknowledged sponsors and partners including CISLAC, NNPC, Amnesty International, Voice of Nigeria, NOA, NEMA, the MacArthur Foundation, TETFund, NAN, Buffer Zone Initiative, CEOS Network Africa and Cutting Edge Communications.
“When we support their creativity and protect the space for them to thrive, we secure a stronger, more united and more prosperous Nigeria,” he said, reaffirming the central role of young journalists in strengthening the country’s democracy.