PUNCHman emerges best print journalist at PenCom awards

Business Journalist, Sami Tunji

A Chief Correspondent with The PUNCH, Sami Tunji, has emerged as the winner of the Print Category of the 2026 National Pension Commission Media Excellence Award, held in Abuja on Tuesday.

Tunji received the recognition at the 2026 Annual PenCom Media Conference, where journalists were honoured for their contributions to pension reporting and public awareness of retirement-related issues in Nigeria.

He emerged ahead of two other nominees in the print category, Philip Clement of Daily Trust and Franca Ochigbo of The Nation.

In the broadcast category, Mariya Ado Zakari, a journalist and correspondent with the Nigerian Television Authority, emerged as the winner, while Nana Musa of the News Agency of Nigeria won the online category.

Each of the three winners received N1m and a commemorative plaque, bringing the total cash prizes awarded to N3m.

The PenCom Media Excellence Award was introduced in 2025 to recognise journalists whose reporting promotes transparency, accountability and public understanding of Nigeria’s pension industry.

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The initiative also seeks to encourage specialised reporting on pension administration, regulatory developments and issues affecting contributors and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The awards formed part of the commission’s annual engagement with the media, which brought together journalists, pension operators and other stakeholders to review developments in the industry.

Speaking at the conference, the Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, urged journalists to continue scrutinising the pension system and drawing attention to challenges affecting workers and retirees.

“Ask whether contributions are remitted. Ask whether benefits are paid. Bring us the voice of the retirees,” she said.

Oloworaran stressed the importance of responsible reporting in strengthening public confidence in the pension industry, noting that journalists had a critical role in explaining reforms and ensuring accountability.