By Faith Ajewole
On Saturday, June 6, at the ICT Conference Hall, the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University will host the 2026 International Campus Journalism Conference (ICJC) which has evolved into an annual event organised by ACJOAU. This year’s edition themed “Active Voices: Youth-Driven Journalism for National Cohesion and Progress,” the conference shifts the focus toward the profound societal impact of the press. It aims to empower campus journalists with practical knowledge and ethical frameworks so they can contribute meaningfully to the country’s democratic growth.
Headlining the prestigious event as the keynote speaker is Professor Laolu Akande, a veteran journalist and the current Editor-in-Chief of Empowered Newswire.
The elite lineup of guest panellists includes; Segun Odunayo, Chief Correspondent and Deputy Head of Programme at Punch Newspaper; Muhammad Auwal Ibrahim, an independent investigative journalist and creative writer; Faith Alofe, a multimedia storyteller and correspondent at The Punch Newspaper; Precious Akintolubo, a multi-award-winning multimedia journalist and broadcast reporting communication strategist; Caleb Ijioma, the Executive Director of Roundcheck; Boluwatife Adedokun, a Nigerian journalist, fact-checker, and founder of Harbinger; and Hassan Abdulsalam, an award-winning multimedia sports journalist and media relations specialist.
The presence of these active industry practitioners ensures that the conference remains deeply educational and relevant to the realities of contemporary journalism. Beyond the robust panel discussions, the day features another major highlight, the highly anticipated live finale of the ACJOAU Adejumo Kabir Essay Competition.
Also invited are representatives from various universities’ press bodies across southwestern Nigeria including the University of Ilorin, Olabisi Onabanjo University and the University of Ibadan.
Ultimately, the 2026 ICJC promises to be a transformative gathering for anyone looking to make a tangible impact through the power of the media.
