Beautiful Beginning Academy wins NUJ-FCT 2026 Media Literacy Quiz Competition

Beautiful Beginning Academy, Abuja, has emerged winner of the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council Secondary School Media Literacy Quiz Competition, defeating Cedar Hall Academy, Lugbe, in a closely contested final.

The competition, organised as part of activities marking the 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week, was aimed at promoting media literacy, journalism education and the revival of press clubs in secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory.

Beautiful Beginning Academy clinched victory after an intense tie-breaker, defeating Cedar Hall Academy 8–6 after both schools finished the second round with 205 points each.

In the opening round, Government Senior Secondary School (GSS) Garki scored 70 points, GSS Gwarimpa recorded 80 points, Cedar Hall Academy secured 95 points, while Beautiful Beginning Academy led the pack with 115 points.

The second round saw GSS Garki score 40 points, GSS Gwarimpa 80 points, Cedar Hall Academy 110 points, and Beautiful Beginning Academy 90 points, resulting in a tie between the two leading schools and setting the stage for a dramatic tie-breaker.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the initiative was designed to expose students to journalism and media literacy while strengthening press club activities in schools.

She commended all participating students for their impressive performances and encouraged teachers to sustain activities within their school press clubs.

> “Teachers, please organise your press clubs and, once in a while, host events and invite the NUJ-FCT Council. We will come,” she said.

Ike noted that the competition would help nurture critical thinking, responsible media consumption, mentorship and community engagement among young people.

> “The NUJ-FCT Council will continue to create opportunities that empower young people and promote educational and media-related activities within our schools,” she added.

Earlier, the Vice Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council and Coordinator of Press Clubs, Yahaya Ndambabo, said the programme reflected the council’s commitment to promoting journalism, media literacy, intellectual development and responsible communication among students.

According to him, press clubs provide a platform for young people to develop leadership skills, confidence, communication abilities and an appreciation for public affairs and journalism.

> “The NUJ-FCT Council remains passionate about strengthening press clubs in our schools. Through these clubs, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking, communication skills, confidence, leadership qualities, and an interest in journalism and public affairs,” he said.

Representatives of the FCT Secondary Education Board, teachers and education stakeholders attended the event.

Some of the students who participated described the competition as an exciting and enriching experience, noting that it was the first media literacy quiz of its kind they had attended.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of trophies, certificates and cash prizes to the winning schools by the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike.

Quiz Results

1st Place: Beautiful Beginning Academy, Abuja
2nd Place: Cedar Hall Academy, Lugbe
3rd Place: Government Secondary School (GSS) Gwarimpa
4th Place: Government Secondary School (GSS) Garki

The competition formed part of the NUJ FCT Press Week activities themed: “2027 Election: Defending Nigeria’s Democracy in the Age of Disinformation.”