Legit.ng
Type of site
News, Entertainment, Politics
Available inEnglish, Hausa
Founded2012 (2012)
Headquarters
Lagos
,
Nigeria
Area servedNigeria
Employees60
URLwww.legit.ng
RegistrationNone
Launched2012
Current statusActive
Written inHTML, CSS, JavaScript

Legit.ng (formerly Naij.com), also known as Legit News, a legal name Naij.com Media Limited, being a part of Legit (ex-GMEM), is a Nigerian digital media and news platform.[1][2]

It was ranked as the #1 news and entertainment platform and the 7th overall most visited website in Nigeria by Alexa Internet in 2018.[3][4] Legit.ng is the biggest publisher on Facebook by the audience in ‘Media’ category.[5]

History

Founded in 2012, Legit.ng has its headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria and launched an editorial hub in the country’s capital, Abuja, in May 2015. Legit.ng is a partner of Legit (ex-GMEM), a global media holding, which also cooperates with Tuko.co.ke (in Kenya), Yen.com.gh (in Ghana), Briefly News (in South Africa) and Sports Brief (worldwide).[6]

In May 2014, Legit.ng released an Android mobile app.[7] It soon became #1 in its category in Nigeria and was featured by Google Play Market. The app hit 500,000 installs in 10 months.[8] The all-time number of installs is more than 5M. 

In June 2015, Legit.ng partnered with browser software makers Opera Software and telecoms giant MTN Group to bring "one million days of free Internet to Nigeria".[9]

The website's servers were attacked by hackers in July 2015.[10]

In August 2015, a news section in the Hausa language[11] was launched.[12]

In February 2016, Legit.ng was among the first in Nigeria to roll out Facebook’s instant articles.[13][14] In 2017, Facebook did a case study of this launch with Legit.ng and published the story in the Facebook Audience Network.[15]

In March 2017, Legit.ng started a local journalism project to connect the reporters representing all the 36 states and the FCT.[16] In the same period, a missing person initiative was launched,[17] which in future helped Nigerians find their loved ones and return them home.[18]

In October 2018, Naij.com changed its name to Legit.ng.[19]

In February 2019, Legit.ng was among 87 media organizations selected across 28 countries to receive Google News Initiative funds.[20]

In August, 2019, Legit.ng receives Award for Migration Reporting by UNESCO on migration news stories.[21]

In July 2019, Legit.ng received an award for the most people-friendly online platform for election coverage during the 2019 polls.[22] The recognition was held at the Suncity Champion of Democracy and Development Awards held in Abuja.

A new desk, human interest, was launched to tell more stories about outstanding Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora in February 2020. In March, 2020, Legit.ng becomes United Nations SDG Media Compact member.[23]

In October 2020, Legit.ng organized Big Naija Independence[24] prominent student contest to celebrate Nigeria's 60th Independence. The Big Naija Independence contest was aimed at spotting young talented students passionate about journalism and writing.

In February, 2021, Legit.ng starts Patreon charity programme. Since that time, the digital news media managed to collect money for six help campaigns.[25] In July, 2021, Legit.ng wins Google News Initiative grant for implementing a recommendation system (ReCo) that improves user experience.[26]

In July, 2021, Legit.ng was named the Best News Website in Africa at the 2021 WAN-IFRA Africa Digital Media Awards.[27] The same month, Facebook features Legit.ng in a case study as African news and entertainment brand.[28]

In June, 2022, Legit.ng launches the first gender-based violence (GBV) sensitization and fundraising campaign in partnership with Nigeria’s leading NGO - WARIF.[29]

In October, 2022, Legit.ng becomes the number one Facebook news media publisher in the world according to NewsWhip Ranking.[30]

In November, 2022, The launch of Legit.ng news media literacy campaign in collaboration with top Nigerian celebrities, including Aproko Doctor, Teminikan, Tochi Oke, Tega Dominic, Chizzy Official, Kayvee, and others.[31]

In April, 2023, Legit.ng website wins in the category ‘Best Trust Initiative’ at the Digital Media Awards Africa 2023 for its Media Literacy Campaign.[32]

In June, 2023, Legit.ng is recognised as one of the most popular online news publishers by weekly online reach in Nigeria, in the Digital News Report 2023 published by The Reuters Institute of Journalism.[33][34]

The same month, Legit.ng becomes a member of the International News Media Association (INMA) alongside the New York Times and Washington Post.[35]

In July, 2023, Legit.ng is recognised as the world’s most trusted project at WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards Worldwide for the Media Literacy Campaign.[36]

In August, 2023, Legit.ng collaborated with LEAP Africa to promote media literacy as a tool for social change to round off the Youth Day of Service (YDOS) agenda for 2023.[37][38]

In October, 2023, Legit.ng got the title the Best Online News Medium of the Year award category at the Nigeria Media Nite-out Award 2023. In terms of the same award, the HOD of the Current Affairs and Politics Desk, Legit.ng, Nurudeen Lawal also got an award for the ‘Political Desk Head of the Year’.[39]

In November, 2023, Legit.ng was included in the report by Squirrel Media Technologies for Q3, 2023, where it was ranked among the most visited Nigeria's platforms.[40]

Popularity

As of July 2015, it has more than 13 million monthly readers and is ranked as the 7th overall most visited website in Nigeria and the first among publishers by Alexa.[4] Currently, the website's Facebook page has over 7.5 million members.[41] Legit.ng is the biggest publisher on Facebook by the audience in ‘Media’ category.[5]

In October 2018 the number of Legit TV[42] YouTube channel subscribers exceeded 100,000 and the page got verified by the network. It has been ranked among the top 50 YouTube channels in Nigeria by vidooly.com.[43]

Management

"Editor-in-Chief: Rahaman Abiola

Rahaman Abiola is a Reuters-trained journalist[44] with over seven years of experience in digital and traditional media. He joined the Legit.ng team in 2018 as a Current Affairs and Politics Editor, was promoted to the Human Interest and Diaspora desk manager in 2021 and became the company’s youngest Editor-in-Chief in 2023. Rahaman has been published in Nigerian national newspapers, including The Nation, The Punch, Nigerian Tribune, and THISDAY. Rahaman is one of the 25 journalists in Africa selected for the Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking Fellowship in 2021. "[45][46]

"Business Desk Manager: Victor Enengedi

Victor Enengedi, with over 10 years in news reporting and journalism, joined Legit.ng in 2022.[47] He previously led editorial operations at Nairametrics and holds a degree in History and International Studies from Olabisi Onabanjo University. He collaborates with the PR team on the digital business series Digital Talks.[48]

"Entertainment Desk Manager: Sola Sanusi

Sola Sanusi, with nearly two decades in celebrity journalism, joined Legit.ng in 2015 as an entertainment editor and became desk manager in 2020.[49] A graduate of English and Education from the University of Ilorin, she previously worked for City People and Daily Newswatch. Sola won awards at City People in 2005 and the Mother Drum Golden Award in 2012.[50]

"Politics and Current Affairs Desk Manager: Nurudeen Lawal

Nurudeen Lawal, an AFP-certified journalist and fact-checker with 8 years of experience, holds a BA in Literature and English from OAU (2012).[51] He joined Legit.ng in 2017 and is now Head of the Current Affairs/Politics Desk. Nurudeen has been recognized for his coverage of the US 2020 Elections and previously worked at Saraba Magazine and Lantern Books.[52]

"Head of Human Interest and Diaspora Desk: Joseph Omotayo

Joseph Omotayo, with 11 years in journalism, joined Legit.ng in 2019 and now leads the human interest desk. A 2016 Literature in English graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University, he's worked for Afridiaspora, OlisaTV, CLR, and is a 2022/2023 Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking fellow.[53][54]

"Head of Hausa Desk: Aminu Ibrahim

Aminu Ibrahim, with over four years in journalism, is the Head of Legit.ng's Hausa Desk and a former freelance journalist there. He holds a Microbiology degree from Ahmadu Bello University and is pursuing a master's at Federal University of Dutse. Aminu was awarded the best editor for the Hausa Desk in 2020.[55][56]

References

  1. ↑ "[Latest] Top 21 Blogs In Nigeria 2018 Popular Nigeria Blogs - Oasdom". Oasdom. 2017-08-29. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  2. ↑ Okuku, Mitchelle (2018-10-24). "NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  3. ↑ "Top Sites in Nigeria". Alexa Internet. Archived from the original on 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  4. 1 2 "Legit.ng Traffic, Demographics and Competitors". Alexa Internet. Archived from the original on 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  5. 1 2 Socialbakers. "Facebook stats of popular Media pages in Nigeria". Socialbakers.com. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
  6. ↑ "Почему украинские медийщики решили, что проще зарабатывать деньги в Африке и на Филиппинах → Roem.ru" (in Russian). 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  7. ↑ "NAIJ Legit.ng: Nigeria News Breaking & Trending - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
  8. ↑ Ukwu, Jerrywright (2015-03-30). "History! Naij.com Is The First Nigerian App To Reach 500,000 Downloads". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
  9. ↑ Anozim (2015-06-26). "MTN, Opera Software Partner to Improve Internet Access | The Guardian Nigeria". Ngrguardiannews.com. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  10. ↑ "Internet Vulnerability: Cyber attacks on Naij.com To Boko Haram Cyber Terrorism | WAKAPOST". Wakapost. 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  11. ↑ "Hausa Daily News | Labaran Hausa - LEGIT.NG". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. (in Hausa). Retrieved 2018-11-14.
  12. ↑ "Naij.com Launches Hausa News Portal - Nigerian Bulletin - Trending News". Nigerian Bulletin - Trending News. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
  13. ↑ "Facebook Extends Instant Articles to All Android Users – Adweek". www.adweek.com. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  14. ↑ "Instant Articles Launches to Everyone on Android, with More Than 350 Publications Globally | Facebook Media". Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  15. ↑ "Naij.com success story". Facebook. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  16. ↑ Ikeke, Nkem (2017-03-09). "NAIJ.com is looking for local reporters to take part in brand new Local Journalism Project". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  17. ↑ Ejiofor, Clement (2017-07-23). "Raise alarm about missing person or case of kidnapping in Nigeria via Legit.ng". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  18. ↑ Odejobi, Micheal (2017-09-01). "Nigerian boy goes missing on his way to church (photo)". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  19. ↑ "The biggest Nigeria publisher NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng". Tribune. 2018-10-18. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  20. ↑ "Case study - Legit" (PDF). Google News Initiative. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  21. ↑ Legit tv correspondent wins big at UNESCO national contest | Legit tv correspondent, Damilare Okunola, was a top three finalist at the recent national contest for investigative journalism organized by UNESCO. He... | By Legit.ng | Facebook, retrieved 2023-12-18
  22. ↑ "Legit.ng nominated for most people friendly online platform award". www.mynigeria.com. 2019-07-09. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  23. ↑ Lawal, Nurudeen (2021-03-01). "Legit.ng becomes member of United Nation's SDG Media Compact". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  24. ↑ "Big Naija Independence: Prominent Students Contest". www.specials.legit.ng. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  25. ↑ "Legit.ng". Patreon. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  26. ↑ Lawal, Nurudeen (2021-07-29). "Legit.ng wins Google News Initiative grant". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  27. ↑ MENAFN. "2021 Africa Digital Media Awards: Nigerian Legit.ng emerges as best news website". menafn.com. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  28. ↑ MENAFN. "2021 Africa Digital Media Awards: Nigerian Legit.ng emerges as best news website". menafn.com. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  29. ↑ "WARIF and Legit.ng Charity on a mission to support 100 Survivors – Prevent Rape and Sexual Violence". Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  30. ↑ Nicholson, Benedict (2022-11-10). "Legit surges to the top of our Facebook publisher rankings in October 2022". Newswhip. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  31. ↑ "Bust Fake News with Legit.ng". specials.legit.ng. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  32. ↑ Oyenuga, Kikelomo (2023-06-27). "Legit.ng recognised as "Best Trust Initiative" award winner by WAN-IFRA 2023 digital media awards". The Industry. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  33. ↑ Spur, Brand (2023-06-27). "Legit.ng Emerged Top Weekly Online Reach Survey". Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  34. ↑ "Digital News Report 2023 | Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism". reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  35. ↑ Oyenuga, Kikelomo (2023-06-27). "Legit.ng joins INMA". The Industry. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  36. ↑ Herger, Christin (2023-06-28). "WAN-IFRA honours the world's top digital media projects". WAN-IFRA. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  37. ↑ Olugbade, Tolulope (2023-09-24). "Fake news: Youths urged to subject information sources to proper scrutiny". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  38. ↑ "LEAP Africa – Raising Leaders, Transforming Africa". 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  39. ↑ Tomosori, Oluwaseyi (2023-10-30). ""We won't stop": Legit.ng clinches awards at Nigeria Media Nite-Out". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  40. ↑ squirrelPR. "Nigeria's Top 10 Online News Platforms Generate 250 Million Impressions in Q3". www.squirrelpr.com. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  41. ↑ "Naij.com". Facebook. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  42. ↑ "Legit TV". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  43. ↑ "Top 50 YouTube channels in Nigeria | Most Subscribed Youtube Channel - Vidooly". vidooly.com. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  44. ↑ "Author Rahaman Abiola, All Articles on Legit.ng". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  45. ↑ Hammad, Abdulrasheed (2 June 2021). "Dubawa unveils 26 Fact-Checkers for 2021 Fellowship".
  46. ↑ "Rahaman Abiola". muckrack.
  47. ↑ "Author Victor Enengedi, All Articles on Legit.ng". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  48. ↑ "Victor Enengedi". muckrack.
  49. ↑ "Author Sola Sanusi, All Articles on Legit.ng". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  50. ↑ "Sola Sanusi". muckrack.
  51. ↑ "Nurudeen Lawal". muckrack.
  52. ↑ "Author Nurudeen Lawal, All Articles on Legit.ng". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  53. ↑ "Aminu Ibrahim". muckrack.
  54. ↑ "Author Joseph Omotayo, All Articles on Legit.ng". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  55. ↑ "Author Aminu Ibrahim, All Articles on Legit.ng". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. (in Hausa). 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  56. ↑ "Aminu Ibrahim". muckrack.
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