AMR Media Awards: Nigerian Journalist, Fatima Saka, Earns Global AMR Media Award Recognition

By Distinct News

Nigerian journalist, Fatima Saka of Distinct News Nigeria, has been recognised among outstanding journalists honoured for their contributions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) reporting of the inaugural Nigeria AMR Media Awards (NAMA).

Saka was listed among journalists who received special mention in the NAMA Awards, which were announced on Thursday, during the 6th Annual Global Media Forum on AMR.

The recognition highlights her contribution to raising public awareness of antimicrobial resistance, a growing public health threat that makes infections increasingly difficult to treat due to the reduced effectiveness of medicines against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

The inaugural NAMA Awards also recognised Kazeem Biriowo of Nigerian Tribune, who emerged as the first-prize winner, while Julian Adetinuyo of News Scope Africa won second prize and Mariam Ile-yemi of Premium Times came third.

Other journalists recognised in the special mention category include Folashade Akpan of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Chioma Obinna of Vanguard, Helen Oji Emmanuel of Blueprint, Chinyere Okorafor of Nigeria Health Times, Laide Akinboade of Daily Asset and Odimmegwa John Peter of New Africa Horizon.

A total of 96 entries were received from Nigeria for the Global AMR Media Awards (GAMA) and the inaugural NAMA Awards, accounting for one-quarter of all submissions.

Speaking on the recognition, Founding Chairperson of the Nigeria AMR Media Alliance (NAMA), Ojoma Akor, described the awards as an important milestone in strengthening specialised health and science journalism in the country.

Akor said antimicrobial resistance had received insufficient attention in Nigerian newsrooms despite its far-reaching implications for public health, healthcare delivery, food security and national development.

She explained that the awards were designed not only to celebrate journalists but also to recognise the role of journalism in making complex public health issues understandable, amplifying affected communities’ experiences and holding institutions accountable.

According to her, NAMA remains committed to building journalists’ capacity and promoting investigative and solutions-oriented reporting to ensure sustained attention to antimicrobial resistance.

Also speaking, Founder of Art for Health Initiative, Chidera Rosecamille Aneke, said the organisation was supporting the awards because AMR remained one of its priority areas.

Aneke said the initiative works at the intersection of storytelling, media and the arts to improve public understanding and encourage action on critical health issues.

She added that the support was aimed at promoting innovative, impactful and solutions-driven journalism capable of communicating antimicrobial resistance in ways audiences could easily understand.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Global AMR Media Alliance, Shobha Shukla, congratulated Nigerian journalists for their contributions to the success of the awards.

Shukla commended NAMA’s founding chairperson for strengthening media engagement on antimicrobial resistance, stressing that the challenge extended beyond medicine and science to broader societal and development concerns.

She noted that tackling AMR required informed citizens, accountable governments and responsible practices across human, animal and environmental health sectors.

Shukla urged journalists to move beyond treating antimicrobial resistance as an ordinary health news subject and instead help build a public movement for responsible antimicrobial use and stronger health systems.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms develop the ability to withstand medicines designed to eliminate them, increasing the risk of difficult-to-treat infections and complications associated with routine medical procedures and surgery.

Nigeria’s response includes the implementation of its National Action Plan on AMR, surveillance activities, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention and control, and collaboration across the One Health sectors.

However, sustained public awareness, adequate financing, stronger policy implementation, research and effective communication remain critical to addressing the challenge.

NAMA said it would continue collaborating with government institutions, development partners, research organisations, professional associations and media organisations to strengthen journalists’ capacity for evidence-based reporting on AMR.

The alliance also called on government agencies, health professionals, researchers, development partners and civil society organisations to deepen engagement with journalists and support independent reporting on antimicrobial resistance.

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The first-, second- and third-prize winners of the NAMA Awards will receive certificates and cash prizes, with support from the Art for Health Initiative in Nigeria.

Other Nigerian journalists also secured recognition in different categories of the global GAMA Awards, further highlighting the country’s growing contribution to specialised reporting on antimicrobial resistance.