Aaron Atsahyel, a journalist with Trust TV, has been named one of the 12 finalists for the 2026 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist of the Year Award.
Atsahyel was recognised for his documentary, Gallari Mass Arrest: 12 Years After, which highlights the plight of women and children whose husbands and fathers were allegedly arrested by the military and have remained missing for more than a decade.
The Thomson Foundation said Atsahyel’s documentary “gives a voice to the women and children from one community where 42 men were allegedly arrested by the military 11 years ago and have not been seen since.”
According to a statement by the foundation, the 12 finalists were selected from countries including Malaysia, Mexico, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Ukraine for stories documenting courage, survival and war, as well as investigations into corruption and alleged abuses of power across four continents.
The foundation said 217 journalists from 56 countries entered the competition, which is organised in partnership with the UK’s Foreign Press Association (FPA).
Another Nigerian finalist is HumAngle reporter, Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu, who spent seven months researching the rise of Boko Haram.
Her investigation examines how Boko Haram was able to build its army and features interviews with first-generation members of the group and victims.
Commenting on this year’s entries, Catherine Mackie, Thomson’s Learning Manager, said many of the young journalists were working in challenging circumstances.
“Many of the young journalists in this year’s competition are working in really challenging circumstances and their powerful storytelling shows extraordinary bravery and tenacity,” she said.
“At times, weeks and months have been spent on investigations which continue to have a real impact.”
The winner of the 2026 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist of the Year Award will be announced at the annual FPA Awards ceremony in London in November.
The competition is open to journalists aged 30 and under from countries with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of less than $20,000.
