PUNCH journalist Adetutu Sobowale has emerged as the 2026 winner of the Reporter Slam Nigeria, using her presentation to highlight the challenges journalists face when reporting breaking news in the digital age.
Sobowale clinched the title at the event held at Alliance Française, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, ahead of other journalists who competed in the storytelling contest.
The event, themed “Journalism and the Nigerian Story”, was organised in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Nigeria and brought together media executives, journalists, broadcasters, journalism educators and campus journalists.
Sobowale’s presentation centred on her experience as a journalist and fact-checker after reporting a sensitive development concerning Nigeria’s relations with the United Arab Emirates.
She recounted how the post disclosing the development, made by a spokesperson for a high-ranking elected government official, was deleted after she had reported the information, and was subsequently labelled fake news by the aide.
The experience, she said, left her embarrassed and worried about the professional consequences of reporting information that was later disputed, despite her experience in fact-checking.
Explaining the inspiration behind her presentation after her victory, she said the experience had left a lasting impression on her because she had previously worked as a fact-checker, scrutinising claims made by others.
“Actually, that story traumatised me. You know why? I am a fact-checker, I wrote a story, a breaking news and it was a big story, then all of a sudden it was tagged fake,” she said.
Sobowale said she was excited by the recognition despite initially feeling uncertain about presenting her story before an audience.
“I’m confused at the same time, excited, because I was not expecting this. I’ve never spoken like this before. I am always typing, writing, but now I have to talk to the crowd, and there are people to judge me,” she said.
She said the experience had strengthened her commitment to telling stories that reflected the experiences of journalists and others whose struggles often remained unseen.
“It means a lot. Now I know that I can go out there to tell my story and it will resonate with people because I know a lot of people are also going through that,” she said.
Sobowale urged journalists to share the experiences behind their work rather than allow their bylines and headlines to define their professional lives.
“Let people know that you have a story behind that byline, behind the headline. There is a lot more to writing a story. So we need to come out and tell people our story so that they will see the value in what we do,” she said.
She also thanked her organisation, PUNCH for its role in her professional development, saying, “PUNCH made me. I thank PUNCH.”
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Sobowale recorded a combined score of 119.90, comprising an average jury score of 56.00 per cent and an online audience vote of 63.90 per cent, to emerge as the contest’s first-ever Slampion.
Melody Dauda, an on-air personality at Albarka Radio in Bauchi, emerged as the first runner-up with 63.66 per cent, while Tina Abeku of The Guardian in Abuja came third with 61.80 per cent.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Reporter Slam Nigeria convener Melony Ishola, Head of Programmes at PUNCH Videos, said the competition could help rebuild public trust in the media by giving audiences insight into the work behind news reports.
She said the event also highlighted the distinction between reporting and storytelling, urging journalists to master storytelling to engage audiences and remain relevant in the digital age.
“One of the greatest takeaways from having the jury review each presentation was to make clear to us, especially practitioners in journalism, that reporting and storytelling are not the same thing.
“If we must move our audience in this era, then we must indeed understand what storytelling is and be able to use it effectively to generate impact, to secure lasting audience retention,” she said.
Ishola said sharing the experiences behind journalists’ bylines could also help address public distrust in the media.
The Resident Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in Nigeria, Moritz Sprenker, also highlighted the initiative’s potential to strengthen journalism and support journalists in developing their storytelling skills. He said the political foundation remained committed to supporting initiatives that promote professional development and innovative approaches to journalism.
The 2026 slam jury comprised Professor Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Director of the Institute of Continuing Education at the University of Lagos; veteran broadcaster, journalist and author Bimbo Oloyede; Dapo Olorunyomi, founder of Premium Times and chief executive officer of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development; David Ajokobi, Nigeria editor at Africa Check; and retired broadcaster Lawal Mohammed.
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Among those who attended the event were the former General Manager of Human Capital and Corporate Services at PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mrs Folake Gbemutor; the Head of PUNCH Digital Advertising, Mrs Mary Stanley-Ubani; members of the University of Lagos Press Club, alongside other media practitioners.
Sobowale is expected to represent Nigeria at Reporter Slam Africa, where she will share her story with a wider audience.