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Summary
Umar Maryam Ayamide of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, was recognised at the Youth Digest Campus Journalism Awards for her NFM-supported story exploring the struggles of female sports enthusiasts in northern Nigeria. Her reporting also inspired the Student Union Government at her university to organise a basketball tournament for female students.
Umar Maryam Ayamide of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has been recognised at the Youth Digest Campus Journalism Awards (CJA) for her compelling story, “Bench by Culture: The Struggles of Female Sports Enthusiasts in Northern Nigeria.”
Maryam’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by female sports enthusiasts in northern Nigeria, particularly in university settings. In her report, she explored how players like Rokeebat navigate stigma, religious and cultural policing, and gendered restrictions that often question their morality and femininity. The piece showed the urgent need to normalise women’s sports through societal awareness, policy reforms and broader acceptance.
Naija Feminists Media (NFM) played a significant role in supporting the story, as part of its mission to highlight women’s struggles in the media and ensure sustainable solutions. The founding director, Simbiat Bakare, provided expert insights and recommendations, and the piece was polished and published by the organisation. After publication, the story led to a significant impact, including prompting the University’s student union to host a basketball tournament for female students.
It was subsequently selected for an award by the Youth Digest Campus in the Sports category, competing against other finalists including Adetunji Oluwafemi and Peter Adeyemo. The Youth Digest Campus Journalism Awards is an annual initiative that celebrates outstanding student journalists in Nigeria. Organised by Youth Digest, the awards are open to students from higher institutions across the country and cover multiple categories, including reporting, broadcast and investigative journalism. This year’s edition featured 13 categories and explored themes such as “AI and the Future of Journalism.”
Maryam Ayamide expressed her excitement at the story’s impact and award selection,
“The basketball tournament for female students is something we’ve not seen in years at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. To be recognised for work that made such an impact feels incredible, and I’m glad I did that story,” the award-nominee said.
The grand award ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
