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By Doris Obinna
Nigerian journalists have recorded an impressive outing at the Global AMR Media Awards (GAMA) and the inaugural Nigeria AMR Media Awards (NAMA), winning several prizes for outstanding reporting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Among the winners is Doris Obinna of The Sun, who clinched the third prize in the Reporting on the 5th High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR category of the global awards.
Announcing the winners at the 6th Annual Global Media Forum on AMR on Wednesday, the organisers said Nigeria accounted for 96 entries, representing about a quarter of all submissions for the global and inaugural national awards.
At the inaugural NAMA awards, Kazeem Biriowo of Nigerian Tribune emerged first-place winner, while Julian Adetinuyo of News Scope Africa and Mariam Ile-yemi of Premium Times took second and third positions respectively.
Other Nigerian journalists recognised in the special mention category included Folashade Akpan of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Chioma Obinna of Vanguard, Helen Oji Emmanuel of Blueprint, Fatima Saka of DistinctNews, Chinyere Okorafor of Nigeria Health Times, Laide Akinboade of Daily Asset and Odimmegwa John Peter of New Africa Horizon.
In the global awards, Annabel Nwachukwu of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) won first prize in the Reporting on the 5th High-Level Ministerial Conference on AMR category, while Edward Samuel Ikpete of Voice of Nigeria (VON) came second. Doris Obinna of The Sun clinched third prize, while Alice Etuka of The Fact Daily received a special mention.
In the People’s Reporting category, Isioma Appiah-Yeboah of Clean Beat Radio emerged first-place winner, while Princess Ekwi-Ajide of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Smith Nwokocha of Port Harcourt Wakawaka Blog and Chioma Vivian James of True Verdict received special mentions.
Patience Ihejirika of Leadership and Benedict Ifeanyi Chukwu of Kaftan TV also received special mentions in the Africa category.
The first-, second- and third-place winners of the NAMA awards will receive certificates and cash prizes, with the financial rewards supported by the Art for Health Initiative, a non-profit organisation.
Speaking on the recognition, the Founding Chairperson of NAMA, Ojoma Akor, described the awards as a significant milestone in strengthening health and science journalism in Nigeria.
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She said antimicrobial resistance had received insufficient attention in newsrooms despite its serious implications for public health, healthcare delivery, food security and national development.
According to her, the awards go beyond celebrating individual journalists to recognising the media’s role in translating complex scientific evidence into accessible information, amplifying affected communities’ experiences and holding institutions accountable.
Akor said the alliance would continue to build journalists’ capacity and promote investigative and solutions-oriented reporting to ensure sustained attention to AMR.
Also, the Founder of the Art for Health Initiative, Chidera Rosecamille Aneke, said the organisation supported the awards to encourage innovative storytelling that would make AMR understandable to the public.
The Chairperson of the Global AMR Media Alliance, Shobha Shukla, congratulated Nigerian journalists, commending Akor for strengthening media engagement and drawing attention to the threat of drug-resistant infections.
She said AMR was not merely a medical or scientific concern but a societal and development challenge requiring informed citizens, accountable governments and responsible practices across human, animal and environmental health.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond effectively to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risks associated with routine medical procedures and surgery.
Nigeria’s response includes the implementation of its National Action Plan on AMR, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control, and collaboration across the One Health sectors.
However, NAMA stressed the need for sustained public awareness, stronger policy implementation, adequate funding, research and effective communication to tackle the growing threat.
