Campus Journal

International Campus Journalism Conference (ICJC 2026): Panelists advised young journalists  to uphold fore values 

By Atson Dorcas and Kareem Aliyah

The International Campus Journalism Conference 2026 was held on 6 June 2026 at the ICT Conference Hall and was organized by the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). The theme of the conference was "Active Voices: Youth-Driven Journalism for National Cohesion and Progress."

The conference brought together media professionals, investigative journalists , campus journalists and students from various institution. Among those present were campus journalists from the University of Ibadan (UI), Osun State University (UNIOSUN), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), as well as representatives of Lagos Voice and students from other press related bodies on campus.

The event commenced with an opening prayer, after which participants joined in the recitation of the Nigerian National Anthem and the Obafemi Awolowo University Anthem.

Following the opening rites, the floor was opened by the President of the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJ-OAU), Esther Olatimeyin In her welcome address, she welcomed guests, speakers, and participants to the conference and emphasized the importance of youth-driven journalism in promoting national cohesion, social development, and responsible information dissemination in the digital age.

Following the welcome address, the keynote session was delivered by Laolu Akande, Editor-in-Chief of Empowered Newswire and former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President of Nigeria. He could not be physically present due to other obligations.

In his presentation, he encouraged aspiring and young journalists to remain committed to the core values of the profession. "He emphasized that journalism requires credibility, integrity, truth, accountability, and a solution-oriented mindset.".According to him, a thriving democracy depends on a well-informed citizenry, and the press plays a crucial role in ensuring that citizens have access to accurate and reliable information. He concluded by saying that today's journalism will not only be determined by social media leverage but upholding core values such as credibility, truth, accountability and discipline.

After Mr. Laolu Akande's speech, participants engaged in a lively game of Guess the Word, with the audience actively cheering and supporting contestants. This was followed by a thought-provoking spoken word performance by Adespeaks, who inspired attendees with statements such as, "We don't beg for a voice because we are the voice," and "An active voice can become a passive voice in English, but not in journalism."

The first panel session, themed "From Campus Newsroom to National Influence," was moderated by Jesutomiwo Adebumowa, President of UCJ UI. The panel featured Faith Alofe, former President of ACJ OAU and pioneer of its first website, and Mr. David Olatunji, representing FIFA and CAF-accredited journalist Hassan Abdulsalam.

Faith shared her journey from ICON Newsroom and ACJ OAU to professional journalism, emphasizing that her passion for storytelling shaped her career. Reflecting on rejection, she noted that missing an opportunity at The Cable taught her not to rely on a single platform. Mr. David highlighted the importance of visibility, explaining how his active presence on Twitter during university contributed to his career growth.

The panelists encouraged aspiring journalists to pursue the profession out of passion rather than financial gain, develop strong portfolios, and maintain an online presence through platforms such as LinkedIn and Muck Rack. Faith noted that employers often value competence and experience more than CGPA, while both speakers stressed ethics, integrity, adaptability, and multimedia skills as essential qualities for journalists.

The second panel session, themed "Vibrant and Impactful Journalism as a Tool for Accountability, Civic Engagement, and National Cohesion," was moderated by ACJ OAU PRO, Mr. David Ogunlade. Panelists included Ms. Boluwatife Adedokun, Mr. Caleb Ijioma, and Mr. Segun Odunayo.

Ms. Boluwatife described accountability journalism as challenging but necessary, emphasizing that journalists serve as the voice of the people. Mr. Segun recounted how his report on the lack of healthcare facilities in an Ogun State community called Igboki eventually led to the foundation of a primary healthcare centre in March 2026, demonstrating journalism's power to drive change. Mr. Caleb discussed the dangers of misinformation, particularly during elections, and encouraged participants to create positive impact within their communities regardless of the size of their platforms.

The panelists also stressed the importance of fact-checking, responsible information sharing, and ensuring accountability across all sectors of society. The session concluded with a quote from Nelson Mandela and reflections on journalism's role in national development.

Following the panel sessions, participants took photographs with the speakers before enjoying another entertaining game, "Wrong Answers Only." The winners of the Adejumo Kabir Essay Competition were then announced, with the first runner-up receiving ₦50,000 and the overall winner receiving ₦100,000.

Awards of appreciation were presented to the panelists by the ACJ OAU President, after which goodwill messages were delivered by the presidents of UCJ UI, UCJ Unilorin, and Campus Journalists OOU. They commended the organizers and encouraged participants to uphold the ethics and values of journalism.

The conference officially ended with the recitation of the Great Ife Anthem. Overall, the event was insightful, engaging, and impactful, providing participants with valuable lessons on journalism, leadership, accountability, and professional development while creating opportunities for learning, networking, and inspiration.