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The Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU), on Saturday, 6th June, hosted the 2026 International Campus Journalism Conference (ICJC), bringing together student journalists, media professionals, fact-checkers, and communication experts for conversations centred on ethical journalism, civic engagement, and the role of youth-driven media in national development.
Held at the ICT Conference Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, the conference was themed “Active Voices: Youth Driven Journalism for National Cohesion and Progress” and recorded participation from students and delegates across several tertiary institutions, including the University of Ibadan, the University of Ilorin, and Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Among the major highlights of the conference was a panel session featuring the Executive Director of Roundcheck, Caleb Ijioma, who spoke extensively on the dangers misinformation poses to democratic participation, public trust, and national cohesion.
Speaking during the panel session titled “Vibrant and Impactful Journalism as a Tool for Accountability, Civic Engagement, and National Development,” Caleb examined the growing influence of misinformation on public perception and democratic engagement.
Using elections as a case study, he explained that misinformation has contributed significantly to distrust in democratic institutions, discouraging many young people from actively participating in electoral processes.
According to him, manipulated narratives and misleading reports continue to weaken public confidence while distorting political participation and civic engagement among citizens.
He also addressed misinformation surrounding insecurity in Nigeria, noting that misleading videos, false reports, and manipulated content often intensify fear, ethnic tension, and social division.
Caleb warned that the rapid spread of unverified information across digital platforms has made information literacy and responsible journalism more important than ever, particularly among young media practitioners and citizens who rely heavily on social media for information.
Speaking further on civic responsibility and youth engagement, he encouraged young people to focus on creating measurable impact in their communities, regardless of scale, while developing critical-thinking habits and maintaining a commitment to truth and accountability.
He added that ethical journalism and fact-based reporting remain essential tools for strengthening democratic culture, promoting national cohesion, and sustaining public trust in institutions.
The panel session was moderated by ACJOAU’s 52nd Public Relations Officer, David Oguntade, and also featured contributions from journalist, fact-checker, and founder of The Harbinger, Boluwatife Adedokun.
Reflecting on the realities of impactful journalism, Adedokun noted that many important stories may never achieve virality or dominate public conversations. Still, their significance lies in keeping citizens informed about government actions and societal realities.
Also speaking during the session, Segun Odunayo, Chief Correspondent and Deputy Head of Programmes at Punch Newspaper, recounted how one of his reports on maternal mortality in a Nigerian community contributed to advocacy efforts that eventually led to the establishment of a healthcare centre in the area. He encouraged campus journalists to remain committed to impactful storytelling and purposeful journalism.
Earlier during the conference, veteran journalist and communication strategist, Laolu Akande (OON), delivered the keynote address, where he stressed the importance of ethical journalism and the role of young journalists in shaping national conversations and strengthening democratic values.
Akande also highlighted the importance of mentorship, professional exposure, and practical industry conversations in preparing emerging journalists for the realities of modern media practice.
Beyond the panel discussions, the conference featured networking sessions, audience interactions, games, spoken word performances, and goodwill messages from campus journalism bodies and student media organisations across different institutions.
The conference concluded with award presentations to speakers and panellists, recognition of winners of the Adejumo Kabir Essay Contest, closing remarks, networking interactions, and group photographs.
