Chinagorom Ugwu, an investigative journalist at PREMIUM TIMES, has won the 2026 Solution Journalism Award at the Active Citizens Awards by BudgIT and CivicHive.
Mr Ugwu was announced as the winner at the award ceremony held on Friday night at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
He was one of four finalists for the award after a public nomination and what the organisers called a “rigorous review process.”
Mr Ugwu was nominated for his investigative story that uncovered the certificate forgery scandal involving the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
The investigation, published in October last year, revealed that Mr Nnaji forged a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and a National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate. He submitted these to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
Both UNN and NYSC confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES, through Freedom of Information requests, that the certificates Mr Nnaji had did not come from them.
PREMIUM TIMES also published follow-up reports, including Mr Nnaji’s admission that UNN did not issue him the degree certificate he showed, along with more evidence that contradicted his claims of graduating from the school.
Mr Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position three days after the investigation was released.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission later resigned Mr Nnaji after he ignored several invitations for questioning regarding the certificate forgery scandal.
The ICPC has filed six charges against Mr Nnaji related to the certificate forgery case.
He was taken to court before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce of the Federal High Court in Abuja on 13 July.
Mr Ugwu was first shortlisted for the award in July after a colleague nominated him.
The journalist said he did not apply for the award. He noted that the organisers used public nominations to find people whose work helped strengthen communities, boost civic engagement, and create positive change.
Mr Ugwu was represented at the event by his colleague, Emmanuel Agbo, who accepted the award on his behalf.
“Yesterday, I emerged as the winner of the 2026 Solution Journalism Award at the Active Citizens Awards Ceremony at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos State,” Mr Ugwu wrote.
Mr Ugwu said this award is his second recognition in 2026. He received an earlier award from PREMIUM TIMES management in May this year.
“While I value this award because it shows my great journalistic work, I feel even more excited about the impact that came with the investigation,” he said about the Solution Journalism Award.
He expressed gratitude to BudgIT for the honour.
In the Solution Journalism Award Category, Sodeeq Atanda, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), came second.
Two freelance journalists, Omolola Afolabi and Abiodun Jamiu, took third place and runners-up respectively.
Other awards were given to various individuals and organisations for their contributions to civic activism, governance, and social development.
Keturah Sahmmah received the Oby Ezekwesili Award for Women Advocacy while Oluyemi Orija won the Community Service Award.
Jake Epelle got the Disability Rights/Empowerment Award while Olusegun Elemo won the Award for Civic Activism in Policy Reform and Governance.
Anthony Adejuwon won the Award for Climate Change Activism. Nonye Soludo, wife of Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, received the Award for Health Activism.
Other winners included Omoregie Osakpolor for Art for Activism, Yinka Olaito for Inclusion and Diversity, Sterling Bank for the Corporate Award for Civic Investments, and Dipo Fasina, who received the Hall of Fame Award for Civic Activism.
Fisayo Soyombo, an investigative journalist and founder of FIJ, was named Active Citizen of the Year.
The Active Citizens Awards are held yearly by BudgIT and CivicHive to recognise individuals and organisations promoting accountability, civic participation, and democratic governance in Nigeria.
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