PREMIUM TIMES journalist shortlisted for Thomson Foundation Young Journalist of the Year Award

PREMIUM TIMES journalist Ndidiamaka Ede has been shortlisted among the final 12 nominees for the 2026 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist of the Year Award.

The Thomson Foundation announced the finalists on Tuesday, following its assessment of “651 stories submitted by 217 journalists from 56 countries.”

The finalists include journalists from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America whose work has focused on issues including corruption, abuse of power, conflict, human trafficking, exploitation and the experiences of people whose stories often receive little attention.

They also include are Si Err Yap of Malaysia, Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu and Aaron Atsahyel of Nigeria, Heorhii Shabaev of Ukraine, Rafly Pratama of Indonesia, Humberto Basilio of Mexico, Afrah Borji of Yemen, and Douha Amrani of Algeria.

The rest are: Patricia Ngevao of Sierra Leone, Alain Kanyombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo and William Kamau of Kenya.

The foundation said the finalists’ work reflected “extraordinary bravery and tenacity”, with some journalists spending months on investigations that have had a significant impact.

“Many of the young journalists in this year’s competition are working in really challenging circumstances and their powerful storytelling shows extraordinary bravery and tenacity,” Catherine Mackie, Thomson Foundation’s Learning Manager, said.

“At times, weeks and months have been spent on investigations which continue to have a real impact.”

Ndidiamaka was shortlisted for her investigation on the disappearance of a Nigerian businessman following his abduction by police officers in Lagos and transfer to Anambra State.

The report, published by PREMIUM TIMES, revealed the disappeared victim’s widow’s years-long battle for justice which remains elusive and examines the wider consequences of police brutality in Nigeria.

About the award

The Thomson Foundation Young Journalist of the Year Award is an annual competition organised in partnership with the UK’s Foreign Press Association (FPA) and presented at the FPA’s annual awards event in London. The competition is open to journalists aged 30 and under from countries with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of less than US$20,000.

The award has been running since 2013 and has recognised journalists whose work has focused on investigative journalism, social issues and holding power to account.

According to the foundation, the winner of the 2026 award will be announced at the annual FPA Awards ceremony in London in November.

About Ndidiamaka Ede

Ndidiamaka is a Nigerian journalist with PREMIUM TIMES, where she reports on human rights, governance, accountability and the justice system. Her public-interest reporting examines how decisions and actions by institutions affect people, particularly those whose experiences often receive little attention.

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Beyond journalism, she is passionate about leadership, civic engagement and helping young people unlock their potential and succeed. While at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, she served as President of the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ-UNN), where she led initiatives to strengthen campus journalism and trained more than 100 student journalists.

Her work and leadership earned her several campus recognitions, including Campus Journalist of the Year, Most Influential Student of the Year and Campus Personality of the Year.

A graduate of Mass Communication, Ndidiamaka is committed to using journalism, communication, advocacy and leadership to amplify unheard voices, promote accountability and contribute to social change.