APCOM opens nominations for grassroots impact awards

The Association of Practitioners of Community Media in Nigeria (APCOM) has initiated the APCOM Grassroots Impact Awards 2026, a national program dedicated to identifying, acknowledging, documenting, and elevating individuals, institutions, and communities making significant contributions across Nigeria's grassroots. APCOM President Abayomi Adejumo announced this groundbreaking initiative, emphasizing that recognition should be granted based on impact rather than prominence.

The awards will focus on measurable achievements in various areas, including grassroots governance, community development, public service, education, healthcare, enterprise, innovation, and community journalism.

Adejumo highlighted that community media practitioners are ideally positioned to uncover these stories. "Nigeria's narrative is not confined to Abuja or our state capitals," he stated. "It unfolds daily in local governments, wards, and communities. Community media is not merely a close reflection of these stories; it is deeply embedded in the evidence."

Unlike traditional award ceremonies, APCOM plans to bring the recognition to the places where the impact is evident. Selected honorees will receive their awards in their offices, institutions, or communities. The association will document the stories behind these achievements, compiling them into the APCOM Grassroots Impact Compendium 2026. This comprehensive record will serve as a permanent national archive of outstanding grassroots contributions.

Nominations for the APCOM Grassroots Impact Awards 2026 are now open. Prospective nominees are required to submit their name, location, area of impact, and a concise account of their verifiable achievements. The selection process will be based on predefined criteria, ensuring that excellence is the minimum requirement and impact serves as the substantiating evidence.