Chinagorom Ugwu, an award-winning investigative journalist for Premium Times, the country's leading online newspaper dedicated to investigative journalism, has been nominated for the 2026 Active Citizens Award.
He was shortlisted under the Solution Journalism Award category for his investigative story exposing the certificate forgery scandal of the then Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
The investigation, published in October last year, showed that Mr Nnaji forged a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate which he submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate to be appointed minister in 2023.
Both UNN and NYSC authorities, in response to Freedom of Information letters from PREMIUM TIMES, separately confirmed that the certificates in possession of the then-minister did not emanate from them.
Apart from the institutions separately disowning the forged certificates, this newspaper already conducted forensic analysis on the certificates and found discrepancies in them.
PREMIUM TIMES subsequently published follow-up reports, including Mr Nnaji's confession that UNN did not issue him the degree certificate he presented, as well as additional documentary evidence contradicting claims that he graduated from the institution.
Mr Nnaji resigned from his position as minister three days after the investigation was published.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) subsequently invited the former minister for interrogation over the forgery allegations.
However, Mr Nnaji ignored several invitations extended to him by the ICPC.
The former minister is expected to be arraigned before Justice Abdulmalik Joyce of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
The organisers stated that the Solution Journalism Award recognises journalists whose works strengthen communities, advance civic participation and drive positive social change.
Chinagorom, 29, holds a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Mass Communication from UNN in Enugu State.
He has extensively investigated deadly violence particularly in the South-east, documenting its negative impacts on businesses, healthcare services, and agriculture among others.
Chinagorom has an interest in telling stories focused on corruption, health, climate change, environment and law/human rights.
Mr Ugwu is among four finalists in the Solution Journalism Award category alongside three others.
The organisers announced this in a letter to Mr Ugwu on Saturday, informing him that he had emerged as one of four finalists after what they described as 'a rigorous review process based on public nominations.'
Mr Ugwu did not apply for the awards, but got nominated for it by one of his colleagues.
'I feel honoured to be shortlisted for the award,' Mr Ugwu stated. 'I consider it as a challenge to me to do more impactful reporting.'
The winners will be officially announced at the Active Citizens Awards ceremony scheduled for 24 July at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The ceremony will also celebrate journalists, civil society organisations, public institutions and other changemakers whose work advances accountability, civic engagement and democratic governance in Nigeria.
The awards feature more than 10 categories, including Solution Journalism, Institutional Transparency, the Oby Ezekwesili Award for Women Advocacy, Art for Activism, Disability Rights Advocacy or Empowerment, and Community Service.