File: PUNCH Journalist, Abiodun Adewale
Three African journalists, including The PUNCH’s sports correspondent, Abiodun Adewale, have been recognised by the International Center for Journalists in partnership with Wikimedia Foundation, for outstanding reporting that expands public knowledge about Africa through the 2026 Open the Knowledge Journalism Awards.
Nigeria emerged strongly in the competition, with two journalists Rakiya Muhammad and Adewale securing first and second place honours for stories on migration and women’s cricket respectively, while Kenya’s Angeline Ochieng received an honourable mention for her reporting on maternal health.
Announcing the winners, ICFJ said the awards recognised journalism that helped broaden understanding of Africa’s diverse experiences, particularly stories focusing on women, youth, arts, culture, heritage and sports.
Muhammad claimed the top prize for her RM Times report, West Africa’s Borderless Women, which documents the long-standing migration of women from Ejigbo in Osun State to Côte d’Ivoire in search of economic opportunities.
