Nigerian journalists have earned international recognition for their contributions to health and science reporting, recording notable successes at the Global AMR Media Awards (GAMA) and the inaugural Nigeria AMR Media Awards (NAMA).
The awards, announced on Thursday at the 6th Global Media Forum on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), celebrated journalists whose reports have helped raise awareness about the growing danger of drug-resistant infections and the need for coordinated action to address the threat.
Nigeria recorded an impressive performance, submitting 96 entries for the global and national awards. The entries represented approximately one-quarter of all submissions received.
Kazeem Biriowo of Nigerian Tribune emerged as the first-prize winner in the inaugural NAMA Awards. Julian Adetinuyo of News Scope Africa came second, while Mariam Ile-yemi of Premium Times secured third place.
Several other Nigerian journalists were recognised in the special mention category for their contributions to reporting on antimicrobial resistance.
They include Chioma Obinna of Vanguard Newspapers, Folashade Akpan of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Helen Oji Emmanuel of Blueprint, Fatima Saka of DistinctNews, Chinyere Okorafor of Nigeria Health Times, Laide Akinboade of Daily Asset and Odimmegwa John Peter of New Africa Horizon.
The first-, second- and third-place winners will receive certificates and cash prizes, with financial support provided by the Art for Health Initiative Nigeria, a non-profit organisation.
Other Nigerian journalists also recorded successes across different categories of the global awards.
In the reporting category covering the 5th High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR, Annabel Nwachukwu of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) won first prize. Edward Samuel Ikpete of Voice of Nigeria (VON) came second, while Doris Obinna of The Sun secured third place.
In the People’s Reporting Category, Isioma Appiah-Yeboah of Clean Beat Radio emerged as the first-prize winner. Princess Ekwi-Ajide of Anambra Radio Corporation, Smith Nwokocha of Port Harcourt WakaWaka and Chioma Vivian James received special mentions.
Patience Ihejirika of Leadership newspaper and Benedict Ifeanyi Chukwu of Kaftan TV were also recognised with special mentions in the Africa category of the GAMA awards.
Speaking after the announcement, the Founding Chairperson of the Nigeria AMR Media Alliance (NAMA), Ojoma Akor, described the inaugural awards as an important step towards strengthening health and science journalism in Nigeria.
Akor observed that antimicrobial resistance had not received sufficient attention in many newsrooms, despite its far-reaching consequences for public health, healthcare delivery, food security and national development.
She explained that the awards were designed not only to celebrate outstanding journalists but also to demonstrate how responsible reporting can make complex health challenges understandable to the public, amplify the experiences of affected communities and promote accountability.
According to her, NAMA remains committed to strengthening journalists’ capacity through training and encouraging investigative and solutions-oriented reporting that will keep antimicrobial resistance in the public conversation.
Founder of the Art for Health Initiative, Chidera Rosecamille Aneke, said the organisation supported the awards because of the importance of innovative storytelling in communicating the dangers of antimicrobial resistance.
She described AMR as one of the organisation’s focal areas and said the initiative was interested in making complex health information accessible through storytelling, media and the arts.
Aneke added that supporting the awards would help promote impactful and solutions-driven journalism capable of influencing public understanding and encouraging action on critical health challenges.
Similarly, Chairperson of the Global AMR Media Alliance, Shobha Shukla, congratulated Nigerian journalists and commended the Nigeria chapter, particularly its founding chairperson, Akor, for strengthening media engagement on antimicrobial resistance.
Shukla stressed that AMR should not be treated merely as a medical or scientific issue, describing it as a wider societal and development challenge that requires the involvement of governments, healthcare professionals and the public.
She said journalists have a crucial responsibility to connect scientific evidence with public understanding, highlight the experiences of affected communities and encourage responsible practices across human, animal and environmental health.
Shukla urged journalists to move beyond conventional health reporting and help build a broader public movement for responsible antimicrobial use and stronger health systems.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites develop the ability to resist medicines that were previously effective in treating infections.
As a result, infections can become more difficult to treat, increasing the risks associated with routine medical procedures, surgery and other essential healthcare interventions.
Nigeria has introduced several measures to address the challenge, including the implementation of its National Action Plan on AMR, disease surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control, and collaboration among stakeholders through the One Health approach.
However, sustained public awareness, stronger policy implementation, adequate funding, research and effective communication remain important to controlling the threat.
Akor called on government agencies, development partners, health professionals, researchers and civil society organisations to strengthen their engagement with journalists and support independent, evidence-based reporting on antimicrobial resistance.
She reaffirmed NAMA’s commitment to working with government institutions, research organisations, development partners, professional associations and media organisations to improve journalists’ capacity and ensure AMR remains a priority in Nigeria’s public health discussions.
