The Beautiful Beginning Academy, Abuja, has emerged winner of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council 2026 Secondary School Media Literacy Quiz Competition after defeating Cedar Hall Academy, Lugbe, 8–6 in a tie-breaker round.
The final contest was decided after both schools ended the second round with 205 points each in a closely fought intellectual showdown aimed at promoting journalism awareness and media literacy among secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory.
In the first round, Government Senior Secondary School (GSS) Garki scored 70 points, while GSS Gwarimpa recorded 80 points. Cedar Hall Academy, Lugbe, posted 95 points, and Beautiful Beginning Academy led with 115 points.
At the end of the second round, GSS Garki scored 40 points, GSS Gwarimpa recorded 80 points, Cedar Hall Academy posted 110 points, while Beautiful Beginning Academy scored 90 points, setting the stage for the decisive tie-breaker.
Declaring the event a success, the NUJ-FCT Council Chairman, Ms. Grace Ike, said the initiative was designed to mentor students on how the media operates and to revive press clubs in secondary schools across the territory.
“Teachers, please organise your press clubs and, once in a while, host events and invite the NUJ-FCT Council, we will come,” she said.
She added that the programme would continue to promote media literacy, mentorship, and civic engagement among students.
“The NUJ-FCT Council will continue to create opportunities that empower young people and promote educational and media-related activities within our schools,” she said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Press Clubs and Vice Chairman of the council, Yahaya Ndambabo, said the initiative reflects NUJ-FCT’s commitment to strengthening journalism education at the grassroots.
“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 Secondary Education Board, alongside teachers and stakeholders, attended the event.
Students who participated described the competition as a welcome development and the first of its kind, calling for its continuation.
The event climaxed with the presentation of awards and cash prizes to the winners by the NUJ-FCT Council Chairman, Ms. Grace Ike.