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Summary
Women’s Rights Activist and Publisher of Naija Feminists Media, Simbiat Bakare, has been shortlisted for the prestigious “True Story Award Prize.”
Simbiat Bakare, a seasoned journalist, women’s rights activist and founding director of Naija Feminists Media, has been shortlisted for the True Story Awards 2025 for her story titled “Odalo, Nigeria’s Twitter Swindler Faking Heart Disease to Scam Women.”
The True Story Award is a first-of-its-kind global journalism award that celebrates the voices of journalists and reporters writing in 10 different languages, including English, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Persian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. It recognises a reporter’s writing talent, considering journalistic craftsmanship, truthfulness, and narrative elegance.
Speaking on the award competition that attracted 1049 texts from 102 countries, one of the jury members, Fiona Leney, from the English-speaking jury, remarked that the quality of the entries was extremely high, which naturally made the choice even more difficult this year than in previous years. Former Africa Correspondent Christoph Plate also observed many exciting entries from the African continent –especially those looking for solutions to the problems narrated.
First published on DUBAWA, Premium Times, and over 20 Nigerian digital newspapers in 2023, Simbiat’s story is a deep analytical and investigative story on romance scams in Nigeria, using popular Nigerian Twitter swindler Iriodalo Emmanuel Obhafuoso as a case study.
Speaking to NFM after being shortlisted, Simbiat stated that she was thankful to be able to document an issue that largely affects women and is rarely spoken of in Nigeria.
“Romance fraud, especially as it affects women, is rarely documented in Nigeria. As such, international recognition gives credence to the fact that we must do more to represent women’s experiences in the media. I am thankful to survivors who were brave enough to share their stories,” she said.
According to the True Story Award body, 45 jury members from 29 countries will select the 36 best texts of the year and then select three winners. They will receive 20,000 US$ each in prize money, while all 36 nominees (one per text) will be invited to the True Story Festival in Bern, Switzerland.
About Simbiat Bakare
Simbiat Bakare has a decade-long career as a women’s rights advocate and journalist. Her unwavering dedication to gender equality and empowerment has shone brightly through her impactful storytelling. With bylines in esteemed platforms like Premium Times, The Nation, and Modern Ghana, Simbiat has not only reported on women-centric issues but has also championed digital conversations for inclusivity through platforms like SheHUB.tv. Simbiat has been recognised in prestigious awards, including the African Fact-Checking Awards, the DUBAWA Fact Check Awards, and the OMA Awards.
Simbiat founded Naija Feminists Media as a response to the lack of platforms dedicated to feminist issues and women’s rights in Nigeria. The NGO and digital media platform reports stories around feminism, gender-based violence, economic empowerment for women, and advocating for policy changes that affect women’s rights. This nomination is not just a celebration of Simbiat’s achievements but a recognition of the collective efforts of Nigerian women in the fight for equality and justice.
