ACJOAU Hosts ICJC, Advocates Ethical and Youth-Driven Journalism for National Development

Ifeoluwa Lambe

The Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU), on Saturday, June 6, hosted the 2026 edition of the International Campus Journalism Conference (ICJC) at the ICT Conference Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University.

The conference, themed “Active Voices: Youth Driven Journalism for National Cohesion and Progress,” brought together student journalists, media professionals, fact-checkers, communication experts, and campus media stakeholders for conversations centred on journalism, accountability, civic engagement, and the future of youth-driven media practice in Nigeria.

The event recorded a strong turnout, with the conference hall nearly filled to capacity as participants and delegates from Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Ibadan, the University of Ilorin, Olabisi Onabanjo University, and other institutions gathered for the programme.

Although scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m., the programme officially began around 11:15 a.m. with an opening prayer led by Moyin, followed by the rendition of the National Anthem and Great Ife Anthem, recognition of guests, and the President’s welcome address.

In her address, the 53rd ACJOAU President, Esther Olatimehin, welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of campus journalism in strengthening responsible media culture, civic participation, and youth engagement within society.

Delivering the keynote address which was pre-recorded as the speaker was not present, veteran journalist and communication strategist, Laolu Akande (OON), stressed the importance of responsible journalism and the role of young journalists in shaping national conversations and strengthening democratic values.

Akande, who is the Editor-in-Chief of Empowered Newswire and former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President of Nigeria, spoke extensively on the evolving media landscape and the need for journalists to remain committed to truth, accountability, and ethical reporting despite societal and institutional pressures.

Drawing from his decades of experience in journalism, public communication, and international media practice, he highlighted the growing relevance of platforms and engagements that expose young journalists to professional conversations, mentorship, and practical industry realities.

He further noted that conferences and initiatives such as the International Campus Journalism Conference create opportunities for emerging journalists to broaden their perspectives, sharpen their communication skills, and better understand the responsibilities attached to media practice and public information management.

The conference also featured a spoken word performance by Adeyemi Deborah, popularly known as AdebSpeaks, whose rendition reflected the realities, pressures, and responsibilities attached to journalism and youth advocacy in contemporary society.

One of the major highlights of the conference was the first panel session titled “From Campus Journalism to Mainstream: Preparing Young Journalists for the Professional Media Space,” moderated by the President of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan (UCJUI), Adebumowa Jesutomiwo.

The session featured notable media professionals including Faith Alofe of The Punch Newspaper and Hassan Abdulsalam of Pulse Sports Nigeria, who was represented by David Olatunji, Editor-in-Chief of The Lagos Voice. The speakers reflected on their journeys from campus newsrooms into mainstream journalism and the experiences that shaped their professional growth.

Faith Alofe explained that her participation in accountability reporting projects, particularly the UDEME project of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), helped her realise that journalism extends beyond campus reporting and can influence governance and public accountability.

David Olatunji, while speaking on career growth and sustainability in journalism, advised aspiring journalists not to make financial gain their primary motivation in campus journalism.

According to him, young journalists should prioritise experience, credibility, visibility, and professional identity-building.

“There would be rejections, but you should continue trying,” he noted.

The panelists also cautioned campus journalists against unethical journalism practices, including accepting payments to suppress or publish stories, while stressing the importance of professionalism, integrity, and adherence to journalism ethics.

They also encouraged participants to build visible portfolios across platforms such as LinkedIn, Muck Rack, and X (formerly Twitter), while developing multimedia, communication, and digital storytelling skills relevant to the modern media landscape.

The speakers further advised student journalists not to jeopardise their studentship in pursuit of stories and warned against allowing political affiliations to compromise objectivity.

Another panel session, moderated by ACJOAU’s 52nd Public Relations Officer, David Oguntade, focused on “Vibrant and Impactful Journalism as a Tool for Accountability, Civic Engagement, and National Development.”

Speaking during the session, Boluwatife Adedokun, journalist, fact-checker, and founder of The Harbinger, reflected on the personal, professional, and financial demands attached to impactful journalism.

According to her, many important stories may never achieve virality or dominate headlines, but their true value lies in ensuring citizens remain informed about government actions and societal realities.

Executive Director of Roundcheck, Caleb Ijioma, also spoke extensively on the dangers misinformation poses to democratic participation and national development.

Using elections as an example, he explained that misinformation has contributed significantly to public distrust in democratic institutions, discouraging many young people from participating actively in electoral processes.

He further warned against false narratives surrounding insecurity in Nigeria, noting that manipulated content and misleading reports often heighten fear, ethnic tension, and social division.

Speaking on civic engagement and youth impact, Caleb encouraged young people to focus on making measurable impact within their communities regardless of scale.

Also speaking during the session, Segun Odunayo, Chief Correspondent and Deputy Head of Programmes at Punch Newspaper, recounted how one of his reports on maternal mortality in a Nigerian community contributed to advocacy efforts that eventually led to the establishment of a healthcare centre in the area.

Emphasising the impact of journalism beyond reporting, he noted that journalists should strive to ensure their stories drive meaningful change within society. Drawing from his personal experiences in the media field, Odunayo encouraged campus journalists to remain committed to impactful storytelling and purposeful journalism.

Beyond the panel discussions and keynote sessions, the conference also featured interactive moments, networking opportunities, games, and audience engagement sessions which allowed participants to interact with professionals, media stakeholders, and fellow student journalists beyond the formal discussions.

The event also enjoyed media coverage from the ACJOAU Broadcast Team, which livestreamed the conference on YouTube to enable wider participation and accessibility for audiences unable to attend physically.

Participants from several institutions and journalism bodies also delivered goodwill messages in solidarity with ACJOAU and the broader campus journalism community. Among the organisations represented were the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan; Olabisi Onabanjo University Campus Mirror; Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ilorin; and Association of Campus Journalists, Osun State University.

Another notable moment of the conference was the announcement and presentation of prizes to winners of the 4th edition of the Adejumo Kabir Essay Contest, sponsored by alumnus Kabir Adejumo and themed NELFUND: Expanding Access or Creating Debt for Students, organised to recognise excellence in writing and critical engagement among young people.

The winners included Dalley Folahanmi as second runner-up, Kolade Akinniyi as first runner-up, and Muslim Adewale as overall winner, all of whom were recognised for their outstanding submissions and intellectual contributions.

In a brief address, David Olatunji, Editor-in-Chief of The Lagos Voice, spoke on the platform’s youth-centric initiative dedicated to giving young writers a louder, clearer platform. He highlighted exciting opportunities for ACJ-OAU members to contribute content centered on campus and youth leadership, education policy, and human interest stories. 

Awards were also presented to keynote speakers, panelists, and invited guests in appreciation of their contributions to journalism, media development, and youth engagement.

The event concluded with closing remarks from ACJOAU’s president, the rendition of the Great Ife Anthem, networking interactions, and group photographs.