The Chairman of the Campus Journalism Awards (CJA) Committee, Samad Uthman, an award-winning digital investigations journalist, has announced the finalists for the 2025 edition of the annual awards organized by Youths Digest.
Since its inception in 2018, the Campus Journalism Awards has consistently recognized and celebrated excellence among Nigerian student journalists, with more than 2,500 entries recorded in its seven year history. The 2025 edition, which marks the seventh in the series, received more than 350 submissions from over 50 higher institutions across the country.
In a statement released on Friday, Uthman disclosed that the “Campus Print Magazine” category was dropped from this year’s awards after nominees in the category failed to meet the screening standards, which include clarity, language, originality, relevance, and depth.
He explained that this year’s edition will feature 15 categories, with the listed finalists earning their spots through a rigorous screening and evaluation process.
“The finalists demonstrated exceptional storytelling, creativity, and journalistic integrity,” Uthman said. “Their works reflect the evolving standards of campus journalism and its growing impact on national conversations. We are impressed by the level of uniqueness in their stories.”
Gidado Yushau Shuaib, the Founder of the Campus Journalism Awards and Dialogue, commended the committee for its transparency and thoroughness in the selection process.
He also announced the introduction of a special recognition, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Award, which will honor finalists whose entries best project Nigeria’s image, unity, and national values.
“The NOA Award is designed to celebrate student journalists whose works promote patriotism, national identity, and positive storytelling about Nigeria,” Shuaib stated.
“I sincerely thank the committee members for their painstaking efforts in reviewing and selecting the most deserving finalists from hundreds of entries. Our mission remains to nurture ethical, courageous, and socially responsible journalists who will shape the future of the Nigerian media landscape.”
The organisers stated that all finalists will be contacted via email with details of the award ceremony scheduled to hold on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Below is the official list of CJA 2025 Finalists and their respective institutions.
Upcoming Writer
Ubel Albert Ekanem
Baze University Abuja
From Heritage to Hope – Nigeria’s Journey at 65
Egiganya Jo-Madugu, Nile University of Nigeria, That Attack on NYSC Members and Vigilantes’ Excess
Fatima Musa Muhammad, Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria Fixing Nigeria’s Housing Crisis with Government Muscle
Photojournalist
Shalom Ore-ofe Oyero, University of Jos
Until They’re Home Again
Bello Saifnasr Ajibade,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto,Societal Beliefs, Structural Failure Drives Children Out of School in Sokoto Community
Sanni Abdullahi Kwara State Polytechnic Ilorin, Grand Style Celebration of Ilorin 2025 Durbar
Investigative Journalist
Lukman Abdulmalik, Bayero University Kano
Residents Suffer as Kano Healthcare Board Abuses Public Procurement Law, Awards Bogus Contracts
Shereefdeen Ahmad, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto In Sokoto, Rural Dwellers Left Behind as Health Facilities Rot
Taiwo Fatola,Osun State University Osogbo Wired for Wellness or Winging It? The Truth Behind AI-Powered Blood Pressure Monitors
News Report Category
Muheeb Mashood,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto,Students Decry Inconsistent NELFUND Loan Disbursements, Interests
Igwe Ugochukwu Michael (Elint Eerie, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Terror in FUTO Hostels: Students Live in Fear of Campus Robbers
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
Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho, Al-Hikmah University Ilorin
Nigerian Broadcast Academy Students Worried About Bleak Future
Dauda Musbau,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto,UDUS — Nigerian University Locked in a Spell of Open Defecation
Muhammad Habibat Sani, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto,Campus Censorship on the Rise: Nigeria Student Journalists Face Intimidation for Reporting Truth
Syndicate Category
Sale Rusulana Shehu, Borno State University, Killing of Northerners Must End
Umar Rabi Ummi,Al-Hikmah University Ilorin, Between University Dreams and Life’s Reality
Features
Usman Bashir Abubakar
University of Maiduguri, This Initiative is Leading Transitional Justice for Conflict Survivors in North East Nigeria
Mashood Motola Muheeb, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Poverty, Hunger Driving Sokoto Children Out of School
Abdullahi Salihu Sidi, Federal University Kashere, The Single Mothers Rising Children Under Boko Haram’s Shades of Terror
Pen Press
Pen Press UDUS
Digest Press, UDUS
Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU)
Sports Category
Adetunji Oluwafemi,Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife,Inside OAU: The Dilapidated State of Sport Facilities
Umar Maryam Ayomide, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Bench by Culture: The Struggles of Female Sports Enthusiasts in Northern Nigeria
Peter Adeyemo, University of Ibadan (UI), The Rise of Hall Football Leagues in UI
Gender Reporting
Raheem Anifa,Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto,Female Campus Journalists Share Stories of Survival, Amidst Gender Stereotype
Miracle Akubuo,Federal Polytechnic Offa,“School Like Hell”: The Untold Struggles of Nigeria’s Student Mothers
Iretomiwa Balogun,University of Lagos Femicide Denials Raise Concerns With Increased Cases in 2024