Nigeria Journalism Prize Grows to N1.75M for 2026

A Nigerian journalism award that celebrates watchdog reporting just got a major boost, nearly doubling its prize money as two new sponsors join the mission to support investigative journalism.

The Ray Ekpu Prize for Investigative Journalism opened entries for its 2026 edition this month, now offering a total of N1.75 million (approximately $1,100 USD) to journalists from Akwa Ibom State. That's up from N1 million last year, thanks to the Ibom Heritage Preservation Foundation and sponsor Umoh Joshua joining founding supporter Inoyo Toro Foundation.

The prize structure rewards depth and impact. The overall winner takes home N1 million, while first and second runners-up receive N500,000 and N250,000 respectively.

Udom Inoyo, a lawyer and former ExxonMobil executive, launched the award in 2021 to encourage journalists to investigate corruption and hold officials accountable. He named it after Ray Ekpu, the veteran journalist who co-founded Nigeria's influential Newswatch magazine in 1985, which became known for fearless political reporting.

The prize started modestly at N500,000 for a single winner in its first years. When Thompson & Grace Investment Ltd came aboard in 2024, the award expanded to include runners-up positions and grew the total purse.

Journalists submit published or broadcast investigations that ran between October 2025 and October 2026. Judges evaluate entries on six criteria, including depth of investigation, journalistic excellence, contribution to fighting corruption, and impact on good governance.

The award has already produced notable winners. Reporter Ekemini Simon won four times before joining Premium Times, one of Nigeria's leading investigative outlets. His colleague Cletus Ukpong claimed the 2024 prize, while another Premium Times journalist placed as runner-up in 2025.

Entries close October 23, with winners announced at a public ceremony later this year. Eligible journalists must be members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists with Akwa Ibom origins and can apply through the prize website.

The Ripple Effect

This award does more than reward individual reporters. It sends a signal across Nigerian journalism that accountability work matters and deserves support. In a country where investigative journalists often face threats and work with limited resources, prizes like this validate their risky, essential work.

By honoring reporters who expose wrongdoing and check power, the award strengthens the entire ecosystem of accountability journalism. Young journalists see their peers recognized and rewarded for pursuing difficult stories that serve the public interest.

The growing prize money and expanding sponsor base suggest something encouraging: more people believe quality investigative journalism is worth investing in, and they're putting their money where that belief is.