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Iretomiwa Balogun, a student journalist with Nigeria’s fact-checking platform ROUNDCHECK, has been named the first runner-up at the prestigious 2025 African Fact-Checking Awards, held in Senegal.
She made the finalist in the Student Journalist category of the award, beating others to make the top list.
The African Fact-Checking Awards, now in their 12th year, are Africa’s longest-running recognition program dedicated to honouring excellence in fact-checking journalism across the continent.
The awards received over 241 entries from 29 African countries in 2024 and attracted even more submissions this year.
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Iretomiwa’s award-winning entry, titled “Exposing Social Media Claim That Any Liquid Can Make a Pregnancy Test Strip Turn Positive,” effectively debunked a viral online gender misinformation trend that could have had serious implications on public health.
Her thorough investigation into the claim, testing, and clear presentation of evidence impressed the judging panel, which evaluated entries based on significance, testing, presentation, and impact.
Reflecting on her recognition, Iretomiwa recalled the moment she found out she had been shortlisted:
“I was on my school’s electric bus, heading to print the final copy of my project, when I checked my email and saw the notice. I was so excited and immediately contacted our Executive Director, Caleb Ijioma.”
“When I later learned I was the first runner-up, I was initially disappointed, but as the reality sank in, I screamed out loud in joy. This award proves to me that I’m on the right track.”
The young journalist noted that the award has strengthened her confidence and long-term aspirations.
“When I was much younger, I expressed my desire to become an investigative journalist. My parting quote from secondary school was, ‘Dream your dream, live your dream, and try to live up to the expectations of your dreams.’ This recognition tells me I’m on the right path and fuels my passion to persevere, regardless of challenges.”
Other winners at the 2025 African Fact-Checking Awards include:
Professional Fact-Checker Category
- Winner: Samad Uthman (AFP Fact Check, Nigeria)
- First Runner-Up: Hossam Elhendy (Fact Checkar, Egypt)
Working Journalist Category
- Winner: Ariel Gbaguidi (La Nation, Benin)
- First Runner-Up: Cissé Fana (Ouestat, Senegal)
Student Journalist Category
- Winner: Badra Dabbi (She Checks, Tunisia)
- First Runner-Up: Iretomiwa Balogun (RoundCheck, Nigeria)
Winners in the professional and working journalist categories will receive $3,000, while runners-up will receive $1,500. In the student journalist category, the winner will receive $2,000, and the runner-up, Iretomiwa, will receive $1,000.
The African Fact-Checking Awards continue to emphasise the growing importance of rigorous, evidence-based journalism in combating misinformation and disinformation across Africa
