Daily Intel Newspaper has been honoured with the prestigious Investigative Magazine of the Year Award at the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Annual Media Excellence Awards Ceremony held in Abuja.
The award was presented in recognition of the newspaper’s investigative publication titled “Behind the Walls: Tracking Corruption in Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System—A Case Study of Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre,” a report that drew national attention to alleged systemic corruption and institutional challenges within Nigeria’s correctional and criminal justice system.
The award ceremony, attended by media professionals, government officials, civil society representatives, and stakeholders from across the country, celebrated excellence and outstanding contributions to journalism and public-interest reporting.
Presenting the award, the National President of the NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, commended journalists and media organizations that continue to uphold the values of accountability, truth, and investigative reporting despite the numerous challenges confronting the profession.
According to the NUJ leadership, the Daily Intel investigation stood out for its depth, originality, public impact, and commitment to exposing issues of national importance. The report provided an in-depth examination of conditions and alleged corrupt practices within the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, sparking discussions among policymakers, legal practitioners, human rights advocates, and members of the public.
Media analysts at the event described the award as a significant recognition of the growing importance of investigative journalism in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting transparency in governance.
Representatives of Daily Intel Newspaper, while receiving the award, expressed appreciation to the NUJ for the recognition and reaffirmed the publication’s commitment to public-interest journalism. They noted that the honour would encourage the newspaper to continue pursuing impactful investigative reports aimed at promoting accountability and social justice.
Industry observers said the recognition reflects the increasing influence of investigative journalism in shaping public discourse and encouraging institutional reforms across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Investigative Magazine of the Year Award is regarded as one of the notable honours presented by the NUJ to recognize media organizations that demonstrate excellence in investigative reporting and contribute significantly to the advancement of journalism in Nigeria.
With the award, Daily Intel Newspaper joins the growing list of media organizations whose work has been recognized for advancing transparency, accountability, and responsible journalism in the country.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed call by media stakeholders for stronger support for investigative journalism, press freedom, and the protection of journalists working in the public interest.