The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) has recorded a historic achievement at the 2026 Future Pitcher Student Academy (FPSA), securing its first-ever victory in the prestigious pan-African marketing communications competition.
Two Higher National Diploma (HND) Communication students of the institute, Favour Mbagwu and Kehinde Olatunji, emerged as joint winners after competing against 24 other students from across the continent.
The organisers said the double victory is unprecedented in the history of the competition, marking the first time two participants have shared the top prize and the first instance of both winners coming from the same institution.
The 2026 edition of the FPSA, formerly known as the Future Creative Leaders Academy, was held as part of the Pitcher Festival organised by CHINI Africa.
This year’s competition brought together 26 students from 12 tertiary institutions across Africa, providing a platform for emerging talents in marketing communications, advertising, and related disciplines.
Participating institutions included the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Pan-Atlantic University, Covenant University, Redeemer’s University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ajayi Crowther University, McPherson University, and Lancaster University, Ghana, among others.
NIJ distinguished itself as the only National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)-accredited polytechnic represented among the finalists, while the remaining institutions were universities accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The landmark victory further strengthens NIJ’s reputation as a leading institution for communications education, underscoring its growing influence in producing highly skilled media and marketing communications professionals in Nigeria and across Africa.
