…OOU, UI Students Excel at Inaugural Campus Business Journalism Awards
National Wire has taken a bold step towards nurturing the next generation of financial journalists by launching the Campus Business Journalism Awards.
The inaugural ceremony celebrated emerging talents in business reporting from Nigerian universities, with students from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and University of Ibadan (UI) leading the winners’ list.
Speaking at the event, Dayo Emmanuel, Chairman of the Awards and News Editor of National Wire, emphasized the platform’s vision to develop fresh financial reporters directly from campuses. “Our website is strong on financial reporting, and we intend to raise fresh reporters into that beat from the campuses,” Emmanuel stated.
Promoting Niche Specialization in Journalism
The awards were designed to inspire young journalists to specialize in business reporting, recognizing excellence in two competitive categories. In the Best Business Feature category, Olamide Ayoade from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, emerged as the winner with his article, “How OOU Student Entrepreneurs Leverage Tech for Career Advancement.” The piece was published on Campus Mirror, a news website on the campus.
The second and third positions were secured by Sonaike Peter Omotola and Tolulope Ayeye, both from the University of Ibadan. Additionally, Indy Press Organisation of the University of Ibadan was named Best Campus Journal of the Year 2024, further cementing its status as a leading campus magazine.
Industry Experts Applaud the Initiative
The initiative received widespread commendation from industry veterans who noted its impact on encouraging niche specialisation among young journalists. Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of Media Career Development Network (MCDN) and former Editor at Punch and The Nation newspapers, lauded the awards for strategically focusing on the next generation of journalists. “This is commendable because it focuses on the next generation of journalists,” he noted.
Similarly, Friday Ekeoba, General Editor of National Wire and former business writer at Tribune Newspaper and Daily Newswatch, highlighted the importance of specialisation in financial journalism. “The art of business reporting is as serious as business itself,” Ekeoba remarked.
Muyiwa Akintunde, Editor of Breezy News Nigeria, emphasized the initiative’s potential to groom future journalists with a deep understanding of financial journalism. “This initiative is strategic in raising the next set of business reporters who understand the dynamics of financial journalism,” Akintunde said.
Ugonma Cokey, Director of Training at Voice of Nigeria, acknowledged the initiative’s role in equipping campus journalists for the industry. “This is unique because it shows campus journalists the need for business reporting, positioning them a step ahead when they join the industry,” she noted.
Victor Emeruwa, Director of Strategy at Manifold Media, encouraged the winners to pursue careers in financial journalism, highlighting the vast opportunities in business reporting often overlooked by young journalists who mostly gravitate towards political news.
Laying the Foundation for Future Financial Journalists
The event marked a milestone in grooming future business reporters from Nigerian campuses. Speaking on behalf of the award’s Panel of Judges, Ishaya Ibrahim, an Editor at The Niche newspaper, commended the contestants’ commitment and urged campus journalists to explore business reporting from unique perspectives.
National Wire, known for its robust focus on financial reporting, began publishing on nationalwire.com.ng in 2016. The platform, managed by three journalists from different cohorts of the Bloomberg Media Initiative for Africa (BMIA), continues to produce impactful financial stories across Nigeria and beyond.
About National Wire
National Wire is a leading online news platform in Nigeria with a strong focus on financial reporting. Established in 2016, it is committed to delivering credible business news and nurturing the next generation of financial journalists. The Panel of Judges for the awards, sponsored by Manifold Media and a journalist, Tayo Olanipekun, were drawn from the various cohorts of the Bloomberg Media Initiative for Africa (BMIA).
The Campus Business Journalism Award represents a strategic step in cultivating young journalists, equipping them with the skills and motivation to pursue financial journalism, thus ensuring the sustainability of business reporting in Nigeria’s media landscape.
