Nestlé Media Awards 2026: deadline, categories and requirements

‎• Entries for the 2026 Nestlé Media Awards are now open, with a firm deadline of November 11.
‎• Nine categories, including Business and Economy Reporting, are open to print, broadcast and digital journalists in Nigeria.
‎• Winners will be unveiled in Lagos on December 13, so here is how to enter.
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‎Nestlé Nigeria has opened entries for the sixth edition of its Media Awards, inviting journalists across the country to submit stories that spotlight pressing issues, deepen public understanding and point to practical solutions, Confiance News has learned.
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‎According to details of the call for entries sighted by Confiance News, the Awards recognise journalism that highlights challenges affecting people, communities and businesses, while also showcasing workable answers to them.
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‎𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀
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‎Since its inception, the programme has honoured outstanding reporting in areas tied to Nestlé Nigeria’s Creating Shared Value agenda. These include nutrition, agriculture, environmental sustainability, youth and women empowerment, and community development.
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‎This year, entries are invited across nine categories, as confirmed in the statement obtained by Confiance News:
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‎• Nutrition and Affordable Food Solutions
‎• Environmental Sustainability
‎• Youth Empowerment and Development
‎• Women Empowerment
‎• Community Development
‎• Finance
‎• Agriculture
‎• Business and Economy Reporting
‎• Photojournalism Award
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‎Notably, apart from Business and Economy Reporting, every submission must focus on Nestlé Nigeria or Nestlé’s global activities. Entrants must also show a clear link to the relevant award theme.
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‎𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲
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‎The Business and Economy Reporting category was introduced in 2025, and it has since broadened the platform to cover journalism on Nigeria’s business environment.
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‎Unlike the other categories, it does not require a Nestlé focus. Instead, the statement gathered by Confiance News shows that it welcomes stories on entrepreneurship, economic policy, access to finance, infrastructure and competitiveness. It also covers the challenges and opportunities facing small and large enterprises.
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‎As a result, journalists can explore wider issues and solutions that could help create a more enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
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‎𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁
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‎The competition is open to journalists and media professionals working across print, broadcast and digital platforms in Nigeria. Eligible entries must have been published between November 1, 2025, and October 30, 2026.
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‎Furthermore, each submission must include:
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‎• A link or copy of the published work
‎• A profile of the entrant or media organisation of at least 100 words
‎• A 100-word description of the entry
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‎Importantly, a published work can be submitted in only one category, and participants may submit one entry per category.
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‎𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀
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‎An independent panel of experienced media and industry professionals will assess the entries. Per the document reviewed by Confiance News, judges will weigh accuracy and balance, depth, originality, relevance and the quality of storytelling.
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‎𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲
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‎Entries opened on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, and must be submitted through the official 2026 Nestlé Nigeria Media Awards Entry Form no later than Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Apply here
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‎Winners will then be announced at the awards ceremony on Sunday, December 13, 2026, in Lagos, where outstanding journalists will be recognised for excellence across the nine categories.
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‎𝗡𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹é 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
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‎Speaking on the 2026 edition, Victoria Uwadoka, Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, said in the statement seen by Confiance News: “Excellence in journalism requires more than telling a compelling story. It demands accuracy, depth, balanced perspectives and a commitment to the public interest. These are the qualities we have sought to recognise and encourage through the Nestlé Media Awards. As we invite entries for this year’s edition, we remain committed to recognising the rigour, integrity and thoughtful reporting that distinguish exceptional journalism.”
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