By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Nigeria Merit Media Awards (NMMA), a prestigious award programme that recognises and celebrates excellence in journalism across various media categories in Nigeria, has released a call for applications from journalists across the print, radio, and television categories of the media industry.
The NMMA, in a communication made available to Tribune Online on Monday, explained that the Award is open to all men and women practising Journalism in Nigeria.
It further stated that for the 2025 Nigeria Media Merit Award Programme 2025, entries must be media works done in the year 2024.
On the importance of receiving any categories of the NMMA set to celebrate its 35th anniversary, the organisers noted that “in addition to its prestige, each award winner is presented a Trophy (The Golden Gong of Excellence), a Certificate and a specific prize money.”
On criteria for assessment, entries from the Print media will be assessed using: Factuality, accuracy, originality, language (conscience, clarity, balance & objectivity, human interest, freshness of ideas, creativity, caption ability (Press Photograph).
“Electronic Media (As applicable): Knowledge of the subject matter, depth, confidence, appeal to positive emotion, eye and body communication, social responsibility. Ability to generate & hold interest, touch of the dramatic, courage, breaking of new ground, full exploitation of the medium, technical execution, level of adherence to NBC code, quality and level of professionalism.”
For considerations for the prize, the NMMA listed format for submission, including:
“Entries should be original copies of the works done during the year 2024. (One original copy and four photocopies of each entry are acceptable.)
B. Entry should be accompanied with the Curriculum Vitae and two passport-size photographs of the author.
C. Entrants are advised to mark “ NMMA 2024 ENTRY” on the top left-hand corner of the envelopes/packages.
D. Entries should specify the award category for which the work is presented.
E. Entries should not exceed two for any particular category from one entrant.
F. Same entry should not be submitted for two different categories.
G. Entries for the Columnist of the Year must be four articles published in each quarter of the Year.
H. Entries for the News Photographer of the Year must be published cut-out photograph(s) in black and white or in colour with name and address of the photographer(s) at the back of each print, and date of the Newspaper/Magazine Publication.
I. Entries in the electronic category are expected in five copies of the recordings, which become properties of the NMMA. The copyrights of such tapes will be protected. Entries should be accompanied with a relevant synopsis & must be titled.
J. Entrants may send Flash Drive, Ordinary CDs (Audio) & DVDs (Video) for electronic entries
K. Entries submitted will not be returned.
L. Date(s) of Broadcast must be displayed on electronic media entries submitted for reference purposes.
M. Joint entry by two or more journalists would be disqualified (Print & Electronic)
N. Only one CD/DVD should be used to record/submit one entry. Multiple entries on one CD/DVD would be disqualified.”
While warning applicants that entries not properly submitted on or before September 8, 2025 may be disqualified, the NMMA listed that entries can be submitted by the author of the work.
“Media Establishments in recognition of outstanding works of the employees.
“Institutions, organizations or individuals who appreciate any outstanding work in the media: print, radio or television – with due consent.
“Radio & TV Entries: Members of the general public can send nominations on Radio & TV categories, especially the Broadcast Station of the Year (Radio & Television) to the NMMA through the nearest National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) zonal offices in ABUJA, KANO, BENIN CITY, UMUAHIA, IKEJA, MAIDUGURI, JOS.”
Click here for the categories of the award.