Nigerian Journalist Disagrees With MFWA Over Award Withdrawal

Nigerian journalist Abdulrashe Hammad, based in Abuja, criticized the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) for withdrawing his WAMECA award, labeling the decision as unjust. Hammad, a freelance journalist who won the award in the telecom/ICT category in 2025, expressed profound disappointment after MFWA disqualified him and awarded Rabo Oumar of Burkina Faso instead.

The MFWA cited consultation with a third party and ICIR's conclusion that Hammad's report was ineligible for the award. Hammad disputed these claims, arguing that the withdrawal damages his professional reputation and undermines MFWA's credibility in promoting media excellence.