By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has announced the finalists for its 2026 Journalist of the Year Awards, with veteran journalist and media executive, Dapo Olorunyomi, named recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

The finalists emerged after a rigorous assessment of entries submitted by journalists from nine African countries, including Benin, Egypt, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

In the Online category, the finalists are Hammad Abdulrasheed of Ripples Nigeria, Janefrances Chibundu of TheCable and Nanji Nandang of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).

The Print category features Chima Azubuike and Daniel Ayantoye, both of PUNCH, alongside Sisay Sahlu Nigatu of The Reporter, Ethiopia.

Juliet Buna of Crest FM emerged as the sole finalist in the Radio category, while Nana Boakye Dankwah Yiadom of Joy News, Ghana, was the only journalist recommended in the Television category.

However, no finalist was recommended in the Photography category following the assessment of the submissions received.

Chairman of the Selection Committee, Joseph Edegbo, who is Managing Editor of Africa Prime News, described the quality and diversity of entries as impressive, noting that submissions underwent a rigorous evaluation against established criteria.

He said the assessment considered development relevance, investigative depth, originality, research and evidence, public-interest value, storytelling and actual or potential impact.

According to him, the committee examined the substance of the journalistic works rather than relying solely on applicants’ descriptions and conducted careful comparisons within each category to identify entries that best exemplified development journalism.

Meanwhile, Olorunyomi will receive the 2026 AMDF Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to development journalism, public discourse and ethical reporting in Africa.

The foundation explained that the Lifetime Achievement Award is determined exclusively by its board, with only one recipient selected annually to recognise veteran journalists and media figures whose careers have made lasting contributions to the media industry.

The winners and runners-up in the Journalist of the Year categories, alongside the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, will be announced at the 10th Africa Conference on Development Journalism scheduled for December 2–4, 2026.

AMDF Executive Director, Sekyen Dadik, congratulated the finalists and commended all journalists who submitted entries, describing their work as an important contribution to development-focused journalism across Africa.