Chinagorom Ugwu, an investigative journalist with PREMIUM TIMES, has been awarded the 2026 Solution Journalism Award at the Active Citizens Awards organised by BudgIT and CivicHive. The award ceremony took place on Friday night at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Ugwu was among four finalists shortlisted after a public nomination process and what the organisers described as a “rigorous review process.”
Investigation that led to ministerial resignation
Ugwu was nominated for his investigative story that exposed the certificate forgery scandal of the then Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji. The investigation, published in October last year, revealed that Nnaji forged a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, which he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial screening in 2023. Both UNN and NYSC authorities, in response to Freedom of Information letters from PREMIUM TIMES, confirmed that the certificates did not originate from them. PREMIUM TIMES followed up with reports including Nnaji’s confession that UNN did not issue him the degree certificate, and additional documentary evidence contradicting his claims of graduation. Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position three days after the investigation was published. He was later arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after ignoring several invitations for questioning. The ICPC has since filed a six-count charge against Nnaji related to the certificate forgery scandal. He was arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce of the Federal High Court in Abuja on 13 July.
Nomination and award
Ugwu was first shortlisted for the award in July after a colleague nominated him. He stated that he did not apply for the award, noting that the organisers relied on public nominations to identify individuals whose work strengthens communities, advances civic participation, and drives positive change. Ugwu was represented at the event by his colleague Emmanuel Agbo, who received the award plaque 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,” Ugwu wrote. He noted that the award was his second recognition in 2026, following an earlier award from PREMIUM TIMES management in May. “While I value this award because it is a testament to my great journalistic work, I feel even more excited about the impact that came with the investigation,” he said. He thanked BudgIT for the recognition.
Other award winners
In the Solution Journalism Award Category, Sodeeq Atanda, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), came second. Freelance journalists Omolola Afolabi and Abiodun Jamiu secured third place and runners-up prizes, respectively. Other categories recognised individuals and organisations for their contributions to civic activism, governance, and social development. Keturah Sahmmah received the Oby Ezekwesili Award for Women’s Advocacy, Oluyemi Orija won the Community Service Award, and Jake Epelle received the Disability Rights/Empowerment Award. Olusegun Elemo won the Award for Civic Activism (Policy Reform and Governance), Anthony Adejuwon won the Award for Climate Change Activism, and Nonye Soludo, wife of Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, received the Award for Health Activism. Other winners included Omoregie Osakpolor for Art for Activism, Yinka Olaito for Inclusion and Diversity, Sterling Bank for Corporate Award for Civic Investments, and Dipo Fasina, who received the Hall of Fame Award for Civic Activism. Fisayo Soyombo, investigative journalist and founder of FIJ, was named Active Citizen of the Year. The Active Citizens Awards are organised annually by BudgIT and CivicHive to recognise individuals and organisations promoting accountability, civic participation, and democratic governance in Nigeria.
About Mr Ugwu
Chinagorom Ugwu is an award-winning investigative journalist with PREMIUM TIMES, Nigeria’s leading online newspaper dedicated to investigative journalism. He has extensively investigated deadly violence, particularly in the Southeast, documenting its negative impacts on businesses, healthcare services, and agriculture. He has a keen interest in stories focused on corruption, health, climate change, environment, and law/human rights. Ugwu holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Enugu State. He has authored numerous consequential investigative stories in Nigeria, especially those exposing corruption and human rights abuses. In his spare time, Ugwu enjoys surfing social media and watching live football matches.
