The Chairman of the Campus Journalism Awards (CJA) Committee, Samad Uthman, an award-winning digital investigations journalist, has announced the finalists for the 2025 Campus Journalism Awards, an annual national event organised by Youths Digest to recognise outstanding student journalists across Nigeria.
Since its inception in 2018, the Campus Journalism Awards has consistently celebrated excellence, professionalism and innovation among young Nigerian journalists. With more than 2,500 entries received over seven years, the initiative has become one of the country’s most credible platforms for identifying promising talents within the higher education space.
For the 2025 edition, over 350 submissions were received from more than 50 tertiary institutions nationwide.
In a statement released on Friday, Uthman announced that the “Campus Print Magazine” category had been removed from this year’s edition after all nominees failed to meet the required screening standards. The criteria include clarity, accuracy, language use, originality, relevance, structure and depth of content.
Uthman explained that the 2025 edition will feature 15 categories, with each finalist earning a place through a rigorous and transparent screening process.
“The finalists demonstrated exceptional storytelling, creativity and journalistic integrity. Their works reflect the evolving standards of campus journalism and its growing impact on national conversations. We are impressed by the uniqueness, innovation, and depth of their stories,” Uthman said.
Founder of the Campus Journalism Awards and Dialogue, Gidado Yushau Shuaib, commended the committee members for their professionalism, transparency and painstaking efforts in reviewing hundreds of entries.
He also announced the introduction of a new special category, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Award, created to honour student journalists whose stories most effectively promote national unity, patriotism, and positive narratives about Nigeria.
“The NOA Award is designed to celebrate student journalists whose works promote national identity, unity and positive storytelling about Nigeria,” Shuaib said.
“Our mission remains to nurture ethical, courageous, and socially responsible journalists who will shape the future of Nigeria’s media landscape.”
According to the organisers, all shortlisted finalists will be contacted via email with full details of the award ceremony, scheduled to be held on Saturday, 6 December 2025, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Official List of CJA 2025 Finalists and Their Institutions
Upcoming Writer
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Ubel Albert Ekanem, Baze University Abuja — From Heritage to Hope: Nigeria’s Journey at 65
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Egiganya Jo-Madugu, Nile University of Nigeria — That Attack on NYSC Members and Vigilantes’ Excess
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Fatima Musa Muhammad, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria — Fixing Nigeria’s Housing Crisis with Government Muscle
Photojournalist
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Shalom Ore-ofe Oyero, University of Jos — Until They’re Home Again
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Bello Saifnasr Ajibade, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto — Societal Beliefs, Structural Failure Drives Children Out of School in Sokoto Community
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Sanni Abdullahi, Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin — Grand Style Celebration of Ilorin 2025 Durbar
Investigative Journalist
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Lukman Abdulmalik, Bayero University Kano — Residents Suffer as Kano Healthcare Board Abuses Public Procurement Law, Awards Bogus Contracts
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Shereefdeen Ahmad, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto — In Sokoto, Rural Dwellers Left Behind as Health Facilities Rot
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Taiwo Fatola, Osun State University, Osogbo — Wired for Wellness or Winging It? The Truth Behind AI-Powered Blood Pressure Monitors
News Report
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Muheeb Mashood, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto — Students Decry Inconsistent NELFUND Loan Disbursements, Interests
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Igwe Ugochukwu Michael (Elint Eerie), Federal University of Technology Owerri — Terror in FUTO Hostels: Students Live in Fear of Campus Robbers
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Adetunji Oluwafemi, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife — “From 487 to 678” — Mysterious Surge in Number of Ballot Papers Raises Doubts in Faculty of Law
Editor Category
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Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin — Nigerian Broadcast Academy Students Worried About Bleak Future
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Dauda Musbau, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto — UDUS — Nigerian University Locked in a Spell of Open Defecation
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Muhammad Habibat Sani, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto — Campus Censorship on the Rise: Nigerian Student Journalists Face Intimidation for Reporting Truth
Syndicate Category
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Sale Rusulana Shehu, Borno State University — Killing of Northerners Must End
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Umar Rabi Ummi, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin — Between University Dreams and Life’s Reality
Features
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Usman Bashir Abubakar, University of Maiduguri — This Initiative Is Leading Transitional Justice for Conflict Survivors in Northeast Nigeria
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Mashood Motola Muheeb, Usmanu Danfodiyo University — Poverty, Hunger Driving Sokoto Children Out of School
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Abdullahi Salihu Sidi, Federal University Kashere — The Single Mothers Raising Children Under Boko Haram’s Shades of Terror
Pen Press
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Pen Press UDUS
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Digest Press, UDUS
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Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU)
Sports Category
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Adetunji Oluwafemi, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife — Inside OAU: The Dilapidated State of Sport Facilities
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Umar Maryam Ayomide, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto — Benched by Culture: The Struggles of Female Sports Enthusiasts in Northern Nigeria
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Peter Adeyemo, University of Ibadan — The Rise of Hall Football Leagues in UI
Gender Reporting
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Raheem Anifa, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto — Female Campus Journalists Share Stories of Survival Amidst Gender Stereotypes
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Miracle Akubuo, Federal Polytechnic Offa — “School Like Hell”: The Untold Struggles of Nigeria’s Student Mothers
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Iretomiwa Balogun, University of Lagos — Femicide Denials Raise Concerns With Increased Cases in 2024
Fact Check
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Miracle Akubuo, Federal Polytechnic Offa — Ivory Coast on Fire: How Malign Actors Coordinated Online Coup That Never Happened
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Iretomiwa Balogun, University of Lagos — Exposing Social Media Claim That Any Liquid Can Make Pregnancy Test Strip Turn Positive
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Ifeyinwa Susan Francis, Federal University of Port Harcourt — False Endorsement, Fake Urgency Used to Sell Unproven Prostatitis Drugs
Social Media Category
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Sebiotimo Abdullateef Ayomide, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
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Umar Rabi Ummi, Al-Hikmah University
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Abdulaziz Faiza, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
Books (Authors)
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Umar Farouk Bala, Nile University — Diplomacy and Digital Innovation
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Olusola Oyedele Oladeji, Kwara State University, Malete — THE LONER
Entertainment Writer
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Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic Ijebu-Igbo — How 300 Pages of Rage Birthed My Movie, “Penance” — Director Awal Abdulfatai
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Bilkisu Ahmed Shekarau, Nile University of Nigeria — The Problem with Nigerian Films
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Fatima Abubakar Ikram, Afe Babalola University — When Nigerian Music Stopped Making Sense
Broadcaster Category
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Ojegbola Mercy Deborah, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
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Oyerinde Najeebat Oyewumi, Kwara State University
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Gaddafi Yusuf Saleh, A.M.T., Massive College, Kano State
