Senior reporter Frank Eleanya has been named “Tech Journalist of the Year” at the AOT Lagos 7.0 conference, held on Thursday, 4 December 2025. The award is part of the event’s Tech Ecosystem Awards and honours journalists whose work has significantly elevated coverage of Nigeria’s technology industry, as reported by TechCabal.
Eleanya stood out in a competitive field that included renowned names such as Tage Kene‑Okafor (TechCrunch), Henry Nkekwe (WeeTracker), Damilola Odufuwa, Tomiwa Aladekomo, and Fisayo Fosudo.
Accepting the award, Eleanya expressed gratitude and described the honour as validation for the entire editorial team at TechCabal. He said the recognition is “good to know that people in the tech ecosystem see and connect with those stories,” adding that it spurs the team to deliver even more impactful journalism in the year ahead.
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Why Eleanya’s reporting resonated
Since joining TechCabal in early 2024 from BusinessDay, Eleanya has carved out a niche covering Nigeria’s telecoms, Big Tech developments, and digital infrastructure. His portfolio includes deep dives into issues such as the challenges facing mobile operator 9mobile (now re-branded as T2), an investigation into why free WiFi at Nigerian airports fails, and an analysis of opportunities surrounding AI compute as a potential export growth area.
This award not only recognises Eleanya’s individual excellence but also underscores TechCabal’s broader editorial strength and commitment to producing insightful, high-impact journalism on Africa’s tech scene. According to TechCabal’s Managing Editor, the award reflects the newsroom’s resolve to build a bridge between tech CEOs and the public, ensuring that the African story is told with nuance, accuracy and depth.
Context of the AOT Lagos conference and importance for Nigeria’s tech ecosystem
The AOT Lagos 7.0 event, organised by the Eko Innovation Centre in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology, brings together startups, investors, policymakers, media and other stakeholders to chart a future where technology plays a central role in the social and economic development of Lagos and Nigeria.
By awarding Eleanya, the conference organisers recognised the essential role of journalism in shaping how people understand and engage with the fast-evolving digital landscape. In Nigeria, where telecom innovations, regulatory developments and digital infrastructure roll-outs frequently dominate headlines, trusted reporting becomes crucial for transparency and public understanding.
For many in the tech community, such recognition reinforces confidence that their stories and struggles will be told responsibly and with clarity. For readers, it promises access to journalism that does more than report events — it dissects trends, explores policy impacts, and uncovers how technology touches everyday life.
What this means for media and tech coverage in Nigeria
With this accolade, Eleanya joins a small but growing number of journalists recognised for elevating tech reporting standards in Nigeria and Africa. It signals to other media professionals that comprehensive, well-researched coverage of telecoms, digital infrastructure, and tech policy can — and should — be taken seriously.
For TechCabal, this recognition likely serves as validation of its editorial direction: offering in-depth, context-rich stories that go beyond press releases and hype. As the digital ecosystem expands — from telecoms and broadband penetration to AI adoption and infrastructural transformation — the demand for reliable, insightful reporting will only grow.
In a country where communication, connectivity, and digital inclusion remain front-burner issues, journalists like Frank Eleanya will continue to play a key role in informing public discourse, holding industry actors to account, and ensuring technology’s benefits are understood and accessible.
Conclusion
Frank Eleanya’s designation as Tech Journalist of the Year at AOT Lagos 2025 marks both a personal milestone and a broader statement about the rising significance of tech journalism in Nigeria. As the country’s digital landscape becomes ever more complex, such recognition affirms that high-quality, context-driven reporting remains indispensable. With renewed motivation, Eleanya and his peers are well-positioned to tell the compelling, nuanced stories shaping Africa’s tech future.
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