Nigeria had a strong showing on the global stage at the 2026 AIPS Sport Media Awards, with Odimegwu Onwumere earning double recognition.
On May 16, 2026, AIPS, at its Congress in Rabat, Morocco, the first in Africa, announced that Onwumere made the competitive global longlist and ranked as the top performer from Africa.
Often called the highest honour in sports media, the awards attracted 1,987 entries from around the world. Only 703 moved to the second round. By making the longlist, Onwumere’s work placed among the top 35% of sports journalism submissions globally.
His bigger win came at the continental level. He was ranked among the top 10 in Africa, leading the list for the region.
In two separate letters, the awards committee commended his contribution to an edition they said set a new standard for quality. After receiving his certificates, Onwumere thanked the publisher and editors at (The Nigerian Voice) for giving him the space to tell African stories for a global audience.
The AIPS honour came just days after another win. On May 7, 2026, Onwumere placed second in the West Africa category for the “More Than a Mother” award at the Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards. The virtual ceremony was hosted from Dubai by Senator Dr Rasha Kelej. His reporting on social and health issues across West Africa earned him that spot.
From Rabat to Dubai, Onwumere has moved easily between sports analysis and human-interest reporting. His recent run shows Nigerian journalists can hold their own at the highest level when they stay committed to the craft.
