HumAngle’s Investigations Editor, Kunle Adebajo, has been announced winner of the 2023 Michael Elliot Award for Excellence in African storytelling by the International Center For Journalists (ICFJ).

In a report published on Thursday, March 30, the journalism organisation declared Adebajos’s 2022 story Keeping Up With The Chibok Girls: Chasing Dreams, Battling Discrimination, Dropping Out as one of two stories bestowed with the prestigious award which honours the life of the outstanding journalist, Michael Elliot.

Adebajo’s story took a deep dive into the lives of the young women who were formerly abducted by the Boko Haram terror group, asking and answering important questions such as what their lives are currently like, their resilience towards the pursuit of education, the challenges that they face, as well as an examination of the attitude of the Nigerian government in respect to their duties to the girls. 

Farai Shawn Matiashe, a Zimbabwean journalist, is the other winner. He won with his story, She Defied Odds To Lead First All Women Fishing Cooperative, Now They Stand To Lose It All. Matiashe’s reporting centres on issues around business and the environment on the African continent. His winning story created an interception between both. 

“Adekunle Adebajo and Farai Shawn Matashe’s took great care to report these powerful stories, shining a light on inspiring women working to improve their conditions and the incredible challenges that they face,” Emma Oxford, Michael Elliot’s widow, said of this year’s winners.

The Michal Elliot award was established in the year 2016, and thanks to the partnership between ICFJ, the  ONE Campaign and the Elliot family, it has, for seven years, advanced “the work of emerging journalists in Africa who strive to strengthen people’s voices and improve their wellbeing.”

This year’s winners, Matsiashe and HumAngle’s Adebajo, will receive cash prizes and equally participate in a “customised professional development program” at The Economist’s headquarters in London.