The Guardian Correspondent in Sokoto State, Tunde Omolehin, has been named a winner of the inaugural Indie Media Maverick Awards, receiving top recognition in the Digital Journalism category for his work on climate and social justice.

The award, presented by the Independent Communications Network (ICN), celebrates journalists across the globe who embody the values of independent media and use storytelling to inspire positive change.

Tunde’s winning entry, titled “In northern Nigeria, floods impact disabled people most”, examined how climate-induced flooding disproportionately affects people living with disabilities in northern Nigeria.

The story, praised for its depth of research and sensitivity of language, shed light on the intersection of climate change and social inequities.

Judge Lexie Kirkonnell-Kanawa, CEO of Impress, commended the work, noting: “Connecting personal stories of those made vulnerable by social inequities like disability injustices and climate collapse, while also drawing attention to existing solutions and barriers to solutions, goes to the core function of journalism—holding power to account by shining light in dark places.”

Tunde’s latest recognition adds to a growing list of honours for his data-driven reporting. He previously won the PAJI African Prize for Investigative Journalism in Dakar, Senegal (2023), the Hostwriter Collaborative Prize in Bou, Germany (2022), and was named runner-up in the Online category of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Reporting Award in 2023.

Speaking on the award, ICN described Tunde’s work as a model of independent journalism that not only exposes systemic challenges but also amplifies voices often left at the margins.