OurNigeria News Awards 2025: Charles Aniagolu Bags Lawrence Bilal Audu Excellence Award in Journalism
By Matthew Eloyi
Foremost broadcast journalist and international media professional, Charles Aniagolu of Arise TV, will be honoured with the Lawrence Bilal Audu Excellence Award in Journalism at the 7th OurNigeria News Awards, scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
The prestigious ceremony, organised by OurNigeria News Magazine, is expected to attract top government officials, diplomats, policymakers and influential personalities from across Africa and beyond, in a celebration of excellence and outstanding contributions to journalism and national development.
Aniagolu will make history as the first-ever recipient of the Lawrence Bilal Audu Excellence Award in Journalism, a category named in honour of the late Lawrence Bilal Audu, the former Editor-in-Chief of Northeast Star Magazine and a Senior Reporter with OurNigeria News Magazine, who passed away in February 2025. The award was instituted to preserve Audu’s legacy of fearless, ethical and development-driven journalism.
Currently a Senior Editor, News Anchor and Special Correspondent with Arise TV, Aniagolu is based in London, England, and Abuja, Nigeria, where he continues to deliver incisive reporting and in-depth analysis on global and African affairs.
A BBC-trained broadcast journalist, Aniagolu spent eight years with the BBC World Service Radio and BBC World Television as a reporter, producer and news presenter. His distinguished international career also includes stints as a casual television reporter with ITN, a freelance news producer with Sky News, and a casual news presenter on CNN International.
Beyond these major networks, Aniagolu has contributed to global broadcasting through occasional radio and television reporting for CBC Canada, ABC Australia, CBS America, RTE Ireland, and France 24 in Paris via Global Radio/TV News in London, underscoring his reputation as a truly global journalist.
In addition to news reporting, he has written, produced and directed numerous television news and corporate documentaries, further demonstrating his versatility and depth in broadcast journalism and visual storytelling.
Aniagolu is also widely known in the creative industry as the writer, producer and co-director of the international Nollywood hit movie “Streets of Calabar.” The film, shot in Cross River State, Nigeria, and London, England, featured an international cast and was released in Nigerian cinemas in early 2013 before enjoying extensive broadcast across Africa on M-Net.
A prolific author, Aniagolu has published five books**, including “A British Nigerian Deadbeat in Cincinnati”, The Great Judge: A Biography of Justice Anthony Aniagolu”, “Osibisa: Living in the State of Happy Vibes”, Unbroken Spirit and Despatches From Lagos: Nigeria in Crisis,” which collectively reflect his deep engagement with politics, society, culture and the Nigerian experience.
His academic credentials are equally impressive. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, and a Master of Arts in Broadcast Journalism, Film Production and Communications Law from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. He also earned a Certificate in Intellectual Property Law from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Academy in Geneva, Switzerland.
Organisers of the OurNigeria News Awards said Aniagolu’s selection reflects his decades of excellence, integrity and global impact in journalism, making him a fitting pioneer recipient of an award that celebrates courage, professionalism and commitment to truth.
The 7th OurNigeria News Awards promises to be a landmark event, bringing together leaders and influencers to honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions to media, governance and national development across Africa and beyond.