DUBAWA’s Copy editor nominated for 2026 Global Journalism Award

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DUBAWA’s copy editor, Simbiat Bakare, has been nominated for the 2026 Global Journalism Prize—True Story Award. She was nominated for an investigation into surrogacy and the exploitation of Nigerian women.

The award received 959 submissions from 103 countries, written in 22 languages. 

The entries were assessed by 36 international jury members using criteria focused on storytelling excellence, impact and relevance, and research intensity.

After a rigorous evaluation process, 108 texts, including Simbiat’s, were selected for the longlist.

This is her second nomination, as she was also nominated for the 2024 edition for her investigation into Odalo, a Nigerian Twitter love scammer.

About Her Story

Simbiat earned this latest nomination for her in-depth investigation titled “How Facebook misinformation, legal loopholes throw Nigerian women into surrogacy ditch,” published by DUBAWA.

The report examined how misinformation on social media, particularly Facebook, combined with weak regulatory frameworks around surrogacy in Nigeria, exposes women to abuse, exploitation, and legal uncertainty.

The investigation revealed how Facebook has become a hub for unregulated surrogacy arrangements, where desperate women are recruited with misleading promises and left without adequate legal protection, medical care, or fair compensation.

Through survivor interviews, expert insights, and careful documentation, the story highlighted the human cost of these loopholes and drew attention to the urgent need for policy reforms to protect vulnerable women.

About the Award

The True Story Award is a leading international journalism prize that advances transparency and press freedom worldwide. The award honours exceptional journalistic work in research, storytelling, and impact, with winners in each category receiving a $20,000 cash prize.

It also forms part of the True Story Festival, a platform created to encourage dialogue and engagement between journalists and their audiences.

According to the organisers, the foundation seeks “to promote the creation of long-form non-fiction and the telling of true stories worldwide, thereby helping society engage beyond national borders.”

DUBAWA congratulates its Copy Editor on this latest achievement and reaffirms its commitment to producing journalism that informs the public and amplifies underreported and critical issues.