Godfrey George breaks NMMA record, wins eight journalism awards

A former Correspondent with Nigeria’s most widely read newspaper, Punch Nigeria Limited, Godfrey George has set a new benchmark at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA), becoming the most awarded journalist in the 33-year history of the prestigious awards.

At the 2025 NMMA ceremony on Saturday, December 13, George won eight awards from 16 nominations across 12 categories, a record for a single journalist. His entries were selected from more than 800 submissions nationwide.

The awards spanned multiple beats, including investigative reporting, features, business, energy, maritime affairs, and culture, showcasing the breadth of George’s journalism career. He also finished as runner-up in four categories: Entertainment, Power, Defence, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Nominations included Telecommunications Reporter of the Year, Real Estate/Construction Reporter of the Year, Money Market Reporter of the Year, Investigative Reporter of the Year, Features Writer of the Year, Maritime Reporter of the Year, Energy Reporter of the Year, CSR Reporter of the Year, Defence Reporter of the Year, Culture and Tradition Reporter of the Year, Entertainment Reporter of the Year, and Power Reporter of the Year.

George, who recently completed a five-year stint at PUNCH Nigeria Limited, described the achievement as “surreal” and a testament to years of dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.

The NMMA, widely regarded as Nigeria’s top journalism awards, evaluates entries on investigative rigor, originality, public interest, and storytelling. Industry observers hailed George’s sweep as an extraordinary achievement in Nigerian journalism, cementing his reputation as one of the most versatile reporters of his generation.

George dedicated the milestone to colleagues, mentors, and supporters, calling it a reward for the sacrifices and long hours invested throughout his career.

With eight wins in one night, Godfrey George now stands as the most awarded journalist in NMMA history.