Yahuza Bawage – Prime Progress
Yahuza is a journalist who documents how individuals and organisations are responding to social and humanitarian problems in northeastern Nigeria. He has reported extensively on how civil society organisations are providing access to basic and secondary education for girls across northern Nigerian communities, alongside the problems that keep these girls out of school.
Yahuza investigates government-abandoned projects to enhance transparency and accountability in governance. He is a 2024 UDEME Social Accountability fellow, a 2023 Ebedi International Writers Residency fellow, and a 2023 African Change Narrative Storytelling fellow, among others.
He has a deep passion for storytelling and literary art.
Ogechukwu Victoria Ujam – WikkiTimes
Ogechukwu is a development journalist at WikkiTimes, with special focus on educational issues. With over three years of experience, she has been a voice for policy reforms and has illuminated the triumphs and trials within Nigeria’s education sector.
As a UDEME Accountability project fellow at CJID, her stories have spurred educational improvements. She has honed her craft through workshops on education, data journalism, and fact-checking.
A proactive volunteer, Ogechukwu has educated teens on digital safety with Teens Can Code Africa.Holding a Mass Communication degree from Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, she is committed to enriching her storytelling and fostering educational progress in Nigeria.
Olumide Olugotun – IIR
Olumide is a passionate advocate for justice, equality and inclusivity. He has leveraged his journalistic background to craft compelling content and advocate for social justice, particularly for women and girls with disabilities. His experience as a journalist has honed his skills in storytelling, while working with Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and Trevolearn allowed him to translate that skill into impactful content creation.
Obidah Habila – HumAngle
Habila is a fellow of the North East Social Innovation Fellowship, COMITAS Media Fellowship and HumAngle Accountability Media Fellowship – where he consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to gender equality and a keen interest in Nigeria’s education sector reform. He has worked on several impactful stories on critical societal issues, placing premium on underrepresented and marginalised communities.
Habila is adventurous, a passionate football lover and loves to immerse himself in thought-provoking books, particularly as it relates to History and Psychology. Habila is a graduate of Biochemistry from the Modibbo Adamawa University, Yola. He has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and uses his social media platforms not just for entertainment purposes, but for social good.
Jesse Tafida – TVC
Jesse Tafida is a senior reporter based in Maiduguri, Borno State, with almost 10 years of experience in conflict-reporting, humanitarian reporting, writing, research and analysis. Having worked with several notable news mediums in Nigeria, he reports on issues in northern Nigeria, especially the Boko Haram crisis bedevilling the Lake Chad Region. Travelling through rough roads with uncertain safety, telling impactful stories of how the insurgency dealt a big blow on the livelihoods of millions of people, the plights of refugees, women, and children, lack of access to basic amenities and lots more has brought his efforts to limelight in Africa. Journalism has been his dream for years and with all he has done so far, he is indeed fulfilling his aspirations.
Charles Agwam – Vanguard
Charles has written many stories bordering on basic and secondary education in Nigeria. His hobbies are reading and sports. Charles can be reached on X (Twitter) @CAgwam and on Facebook at Charles Ugo Agwam.
Iniabasi Friday Umo – Daily Trust
Iniabasi Friday Umo is a multi-media Journalist with 15 years of practice in journalism and advertising. She has acquired skills development and refresher courses in broadcast investigation training, multi-media journalism training, understanding and investigating the extractive sector, agric documentary production, and understanding crime reporting organised by the Daily Trust Foundation. Climate change media reporting by CJID, advancing utrition Health and Environmental Awareness by Nestle/LBS, Reporting Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by African Women in Media, and Health Reporting Fellowship by ICIR, among others.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Communication Arts and an M.A in Mass Communication from the University of Uyo. Umo is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo. Her academic publication, ‘Social Media and Political Disinformation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’, was published in the Global Journal of Communication and Humanities in 2023.
Her hobbies or interests outside work include singing, researching and training.
Hadiza Musa Yusuf – Prime Time News
As a journalist, Hadiza primarily focuses on the education sector. Her work involves writing about schools, and investigating both the successes and the challenges, particularly in Kano State, where corruption and negligence are prevalent issues within the education system.
Her hobbies and interests outside work include: travelling, driving, and exploring new places with her loved ones.
Kolawole B. Omoniyi – Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Arewa Radio
Omoniyi is a seasoned journalist who currently works as a News Manager for Steam and Globe Broadcasting Limited, owners of Cool FM, Wazobia FM, and Arewa Radio in Nigeria. He has more than 15 years of experience in investigative reporting, news gathering and editing and political and public affairs analysis.
He has also held consulting roles for nongovernmental organisations on media development projects. A number of Omoniyi’s investigative and community development stories on basic and secondary education have helped trigger government interventions and behavioural change across communities in northern Nigeria.
Omoniyi holds a master’s degree in Public Relations and a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano State, as well as a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.
Rakiya Abubakar Muhammad – RM Times
Rakiya is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over two decades of experience in exploratory work. Until August 2020, Rakiya, now an independent journalist, was a bureau chief at Daily Trust, a popular Nigerian national daily.
She was a finalist for both the 2023 Nigeria Media Merit Award and the Climate Now Award. She was the winner of the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) Pamela Howard Forum on Global Crisis Reporting, August 2022 Story Contest. Rakiya also clinched the 3rd position in the 2022 Nestle Nigeria Best Story on Women’s Empowerment Award.
She has previously won the Daily Trust Best Feature Story awards on multiple occasions. Rakiya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, a Master’s in Personnel Psychology, and a certificate in Public Policy Analysis. These qualifications underscore her multidisciplinary approach to journalism and her ability to bring diverse perspectives to her work.
Rauf Oyewole – The Guardian
Rauf Oyewole is a Correspondent with The Guardian Nigeria. A graduate of Mass Communication with over seven years of practice as a journalist in both Lagos State and Bauchi State, he has written on issues affecting Nigeria’s Northeast, particularly out-of-school children and other issues in education.
His works have been published by The Nation, Sahara Reporters, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), ThisDay, Nigerian NewsDirect, The Cable, Whistler and WikkiTimes.
He is a fellow of the ICIR’s Open Contract Reporting 2022 to 2024. He was also a cohort of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) 2023. He has written a couple of stories on secondary education as regards equal access and inclusivity. He has been part of the education projects of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) across its Bauchi Field Office, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba and Plateau states.
Rauf’s hobbies are reading literary work and interacting with others.
Rebecca Caleb Maina – Gombe Media Corporation
Rebecca is a journalist with over two decades of experience in multimedia communication. From Gombe State, Nigeria, she is skilled in developing internal and external communication materials, content generation, and event coordination.
Rebecca’s expertise extends to photography and storytelling, with a strong track record of working with stakeholders in both government and non-government sectors. Her passion for education and advocacy has led to impactful collaborations with organisations like Save the Children and UNICEF, resulting in the production of impactful materials, including newsletters, case studies, and advocacy briefs. Her efforts contributed to the passage of child protection law In Gombe State.
With Management Sciences for Health, she collaborated with the management and teachers of a school to mentor girls and organise various activities, including literary productions to promote their education and personal development.
Her hobbies include reading, watching movies, travelling and spending time with loved ones.
Tasi’u Hassan – NAS FM
Hassan is a broadcast journalist with about nine years of experience. He holds a BSc in Mass Communication from the University of Maiduguri. He has worked with various media organisations, including Gombe Media Corporation and Albarka Radio, Bauchi, and currently NAS FM Yola as a reporter, presenter and producer. He produces “MU LEƘA MU GANI”, a programme amplifying the educational, health and infrastructural needs of local communities.
Driven by his commitment to ensuring equitable access to education, he focuses on covering basic and secondary education. He believes that every child, irrespective of gender and background, deserves the right to education, which is why he has engaged different education stakeholders on various programmes on making education accessible to all.
He enjoys exploring new places and reading communication books, outside of work.
Ridwan Adeola Yusuf – Legit.ng
Ridwan is a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He is a certified journalist with over nine years of experience covering education in Nigeria and worldwide. He has authored dozens of articles focused on secondary education, particularly useful content for students preparing for tertiary education.
Ridwan was the Acting Editor of AllNews Nigeria and had a stint with South Africa-based Africa Check as a Fact-Checking Researcher.
He loves watching football and playing video games at his leisure.
Abubakar Muhammad Usman – Media Trust Group
Abubakar Muhammad Usman is a multimedia journalist with extensive experience in politics, education, and investigative reporting. He began his career with Freedom Radio in Kano State and BUK FM 98.9, where he honed his skills in broadcast journalism. He has also contributed to several Hausa online platforms, including Legit Hausa, expanding his expertise in digital media.
Currently, he is with Media Trust Group, where he has worked for the past four years. As part of the team behind Daily Trust, Aminiya newspapers, Trust TV, Trust Radio, and Teen Trust, he has developed a diverse skill set in multimedia journalism. His work focuses on delivering impactful stories that drive change and inform the public on critical issues.
Mercy Henry Obot – Crystal Express
A seasoned media practitioner with nearly a decade of experience, Mercy serves as Assistant Editor and Head of Gender and Family Affairs at Crystal Express in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Her passion for promoting gender equality and challenging harmful stereotypes aligns with her work. As a female journalist, she has championed causes for the girl child, boy child and persons with disabilities (PWDs) by reporting their challenges in education and society.
Through collaborations with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), she has empowered students to overcome obstacles and improve their academic performance. She also enjoys humanitarian services, writing, travelling, and networking.
Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim – Halal Reporters
Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim is a multiple award-winning journalist based in Gombe State, Nigeria. With bias in investigative, data and solutions journalism, he has won numerous awards at both national and international levels including the prestigious West African Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) 2021, Youths Digest Journalism Awards 2020 & 2021, Lekan Otufodunrin Journalists Awards 2021, ICIR Data/Investigative Journalism Awards 2021, Alfred Opubor Next-Gen Journalism Awards 2022, CITAD Accountability Reporting Awards 2022, BudgIT Active Citizens Awards 2023 and 30 Under 30 Arewa Stars Awards 2023.
His areas of coverage include ICT, Climate Change, Education and Human Rights. He is a 2022 ICIR-OCRP Fellow and a 2020 AIJC Fellow at Wits University. He is a 2022 CITAD grantee funded by the MacArthur Foundation. His works have appeared in African Arguments, International Journalists Network, Solutions Journalism Network, The ICIR, Aso Times, Halal Reporters, Premium Times, Daily Trust, Peoples Daily and elsewhere.
Aisha Gambo – News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Aisha Gambo is an experienced journalist based in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria. She has over five years of expertise in covering basic and secondary education. Her insightful reporting and dedication to educational development have made significant contributions to raising awareness about the challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s education sector.
She also covers interventions around education by government and non-governmental organisations in Kaduna State. Outside of work, Aisha enjoys cooking, and hanging out with friends and family, which provide her with fresh perspectives and inspiration for her storytelling.
Nasir Abbas Babi – Garkuwa FM
Sokoto-based Nasir is an accomplished journalist and media personality with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Currently serving as the Programmes Manager at Garkuwa FM, and also the Executive Director Jikan Babi Production, a media production and consultancy agency operating in Sokoto State. Nasir has a distinguished career marked by his focus on basic and secondary education in Nigeria. His expertise extends to communication, content creation, and data-driven approaches, making significant contributions to gender mainstreaming and fact-checking. Outside of his professional pursuits, Nasir enjoys blogging and engaging with his substantial social media community.
Ndifreke Enefiok – The Mail
Ndifreke is an investigative and public interest reporter based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Over the past six years, she has acquired relevant training and honed skills such as researching, interviewing, blogging, fact-checking, and storytelling, in addition to her degree in Communication Arts from the University of Uyo.
Her versatility in covering various beats, including politics, sports, education, and health, has enabled her to work with reputable media houses, consistently delivering impactful human interest stories.
Inspired by great journalists like Kelechukwu Iruoma, Stephanie Busari, Ruona Meyer, Ndifreke is passionate about using journalism to uncover truth and create impact. Her experience covering education stories has given her a unique perspective on the sector’s challenges, and she is committed to amplifying underreported issues.
Outside of work, Ndifreke enjoys hiking, watching football, playing scrabble, watching documentaries, and reading. She also volunteers with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and contributes to good causes.
She is active on all social media platforms as @Ndifreke Enefiok.
Abdulwasiu Olokooba – SaharaReporters
Abdulwasiu Olokooba is an award-winning investigative reporter based in Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria. He has written extensively on education, technology, and national security in Nigeria’s media space. He has exposed several instances of fraud and has utilised technology to drive his investigations. He is passionate about using his medium to promote access to quality education in the country.
Najib Sani – Daylight Reporters
Najib is a journalist with years of experience who has worked in television, print, and online newspapers. In his career journey, he has worked with the Bauchi State Television as a reporter and translator. He has also worked in newspapers as a correspondent and editor and is now a reporter, and writer at Daylight Reporters, which is an online media platform. He is also an author of novels with one published work titled ‘Destiny Novel’ published by University Press PLC, Ibadan, in 2021.
He holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. He is presently based in Gombe State as a reporter/correspondent for his medium. He has a special interest in writing features and articles. He also writes on development issues that inspire actions from the government and duty-bearers. Sani is passionate about discussing societal problems to effect positive changes in his community.
Abubakar Tukur – FRCN
Abubakar Tukur is a media practitioner with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna State. A professional media practitioner with over 10 years of experience, he has done a lot of research, and programmes in relation to girl-child education and is eager to cover more depths in that area.
Angela Elue Okafor – Supreme FM
Angela Elue Okafor boasts over 20 years of experience as a broadcast journalist under the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s (FRCN) Supreme FM, Kaduna State. She has produced several programmes like “Society Today”, a programme that looks at societal issues, “Yours Truly”, an agony aunt counseling programme, “Family Matters”, a programme that tackles family issues, “Make we Yarn”, a programme that addresses HIV maternal and reproductive health issues, which won a BBC Media Action award in 2014.
She is also the head of Drama Desk which won a Media Award in 2013, and she also heads the pidgin unit of the radio. She has produced “Turning Point”, a programme that looks at societal issues, and currently, she presents and produces “Area”, a pidgin programme that focuses on society.
She is a member of the Kaduna State Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM) and a member of the Education/Health Technical working group of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), Kaduna. She enjoys reading, traveling, mentoring young people and volunteering as a marriage counselor and a psychosocial support first-aider. She also enjoys giving therapeutic massages.
Ibukun Emiola – News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Ibukun Emiola is a seasoned journalist who resides in Ibadan, Oyo State. Her work in journalism spans a decade from health to education, economy, business, science and technology among others.
She majors now on covering education beat; engaging stakeholders and government alike on issues bordering on critical areas such as infrastructural development, standards and manpower in the sector. Ibukun is passionate about reporting on the inclusion of female gender and intersectionality in the education sector.
Her continuous report on manpower shortage in the Oyo State Basic Education arm recently led the state government to recruit 7,000 teachers to fill the gap. She has interests in reading books, watching movies and travelling.
Lawal Sofiyyat Bolanle – PEN Press
Sofiyyat is a freelance journalist based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. In her work as a journalist passionate about education reportage, she investigated how the failure of a contractor to supply laboratory equipment and instructional materials to secondary schools in Osun State was hampering quality education in the schools.
