Blueprint.ng Newspaper correspondent, Ismalia Oguntade, has won the 2025 Crime Reporter of the Year.
The seasoned journalist who specialised in complex security matters was crowned at the prestigious Nigerian Media Nite Award (NMNA) ceremony held on November 26, 2025, at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The highly coveted award was presented to him for his outstanding contribution to Nigerian journalism in crime and security beat.
The award-winning correspondent secured the top honour in a highly competitive category against nominees from some of the nation’s leading publications, demonstrating a significant edge in public and industry voting.
The Blueprint correspondent clinched the award with a decisive and impressive tally of over 780 votes, signaling a landslide victory that surpassed his counterparts from well-known media houses, including Vanguard, The Nation, Guardian, Tribune and Daily Independent Newspapers.
This recognition is a clear testament to Ismaila’s distinction and competence in the field of complex crime reporting and investigative journalism, often involving high-stakes security issues.
His reporting is noted for leveraging specialised expertise in security technology and investigative science to break down complicated cases and deliver impactful, detailed stories to the Nigerian public.
Ultimately, his resounding win not only celebrates his individual talent but also strongly reaffirms Blueprint Newspaper’s unwavering commitment to high-quality, in-depth journalism on crucial security and crime-related matters.
