18th Wole Soyinka Centre Media Lecture Speakers
Keynote speaker
Professor Umaru Pate
Professor of Communication at Bayero University
Professor Umaru A. Pate is a Professor of Media and Society at Bayero University, Kano, and one of Nigeria’s foremost scholars in communication, development and media policy. He recently completed a transformative tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Kashere, where he led major institutional reforms, expanded academic programmes and strengthened strategic partnerships that enhanced the university’s growth. A former founding Dean of the Faculty of Communication at Bayero University, Kano, he has played a pivotal role in advancing communication education and media development in Nigeria, including leading curriculum reforms and attracting international support for journalism education. Professor Pate has worked with leading global organisations, including UNESCO, the World Bank, USAID and the Ford Foundation, and has contributed to communication and development initiatives in more than 70 countries. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), reflecting his longstanding commitment to advancing media excellence and investigative journalism in Nigeria. He currently serves as President of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters and chairs the Board of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). Widely recognised for his scholarship, policy engagement and public service, Professor Pate continues to shape national and international conversations on media, governance and democratic development
Report Reviewer
Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa
Professor of Public Law at the University of Lagos.
Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa is a Professor of Public Law at the University of Lagos, specialising in human rights, criminal justice, law and development, and gender studies. A respected legal scholar and policy expert, she has contributed extensively to justice sector reforms in Nigeria and across Africa through research, legislative drafting, policy development and capacity building. She played a leading role in the development of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2011, the Lagos State Sentencing Guidelines and the Community Service Guidelines, landmark reforms that have shaped Nigeria’s criminal justice system. A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services) and Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Lagos, Professor Atsenuwa currently chairs the Boards of HEDA Resource Centre and the Mirabel Centre, while serving on the advisory boards of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). Her work is driven by a lifelong commitment to advancing justice, human rights and democratic governance.
Panelists and Speakers
Michel Deelen
Consul General Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lagos
Michel Deelen is the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Lagos and a career diplomat with over three decades of experience in international relations, governance and economic diplomacy. A graduate of Maastricht University with a specialisation in international trade law and human rights, he has represented the Netherlands in key diplomatic postings across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, including at the European Union, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization (WTO), ECOWAS and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Throughout his diplomatic career, Michel has championed good governance, human rights, democratic development and international cooperation. In Nigeria, he has cultivated a longstanding relationship with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, supporting initiatives that advance press freedom, civic space, journalists’ safety and democratic accountability. His work continues to strengthen collaboration between the Netherlands and Nigerian institutions committed to open societies, accountable governance and sustainable development.
Dapo Olorunyomi
Publisher Premium Times; Founder/CEO, Centre for Journalism Innovation & Development (CJID)
Dapo Olorunyomi is an award-winning investigative journalist, media entrepreneur and one of Africa’s foremost advocates for press freedom and accountability journalism. He is the founder of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), established in 2005 to strengthen investigative reporting, promote media excellence and deepen democratic accountability in Nigeria. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has led pioneering journalism initiatives, mentored generations of investigative journalists and advanced media innovation across the continent. A recipient of numerous international journalism and press freedom honours, Olorunyomi continues to champion independent journalism as a cornerstone of transparent governance, human rights and democratic development.
Motunrayo Alaka
Executive Director/CEO, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)
Motunrayo Alaka is an investigative journalism leader, institution builder and media development expert serving as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ). A founding team member of the Centre, she has played a pivotal role in advancing investigative journalism, media innovation and democratic governance in Nigeria for over two decades. Under her leadership, WSCIJ has expanded its national and international footprint, strengthening investigative reporting, media sustainability, gender inclusion, youth engagement and civic participation through strategic programmes and partnerships. A two-time Stanford University Fellow and Harvard-trained executive leader, Motunrayo serves on several national and international advisory bodies, championing ethical journalism, institutional excellence and democratic accountability.
CSP Abimbola Adebisi
Public Relations Officer, Lagos State cCommand
CSP Abimbola Adebisi is the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Nigeria Police Force. A public relations and law enforcement professional, she is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the International Association of Women Police (IAWP), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). She holds academic and professional qualifications in English, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Human Rights and Child Protection. Through her work, she promotes transparent police-public engagement, strategic communication and community partnerships that strengthen public trust and support democratic policing.
Lanre Arogundade
Executive Director, International Press Centre
Lanre Arogundade is a veteran journalist, media development specialist and Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC). A former journalist with National Concord, Vanguard, Panos Radio and the Voice of America, he has dedicated his career to advancing press freedom, media professionalism and democratic accountability. He is a respected media trainer, researcher and advocate whose work has strengthened the capacity of journalists across Nigeria and West Africa. An author of Media and Elections: The Professional Responsibilities of Journalists, Arogundade continues to champion ethical journalism, freedom of expression and a safe, enabling environment for independent media.
Taiwo Gbadegesin
HOD, Voter Education & Publicity, INEC Lagos
Alhaji Taiwo Gbadegesin is Deputy Director and Head of the Department of Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Civil Society at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lagos State. A communication and public affairs professional, he is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), a Member of the Chartered Institute of Administration, and a Member of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN). His work focuses on voter education, civic engagement, stakeholder relations and strengthening citizen participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Deji Badmus
Founder, Tv360
Deji Badmus is a multiple award-winning broadcast journalist and media executive. He is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of TV360 Nigeria and a freelance correspondent with China Global Television Network (CGTN). Before founding TV360, he served as Head of the Political and Reportorial Desk and Editor at Channels Television, where he anchored the flagship programme Politics Today. A Chevening Fellow, Deji holds postgraduate training in Security and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. He is a recipient of numerous professional honours, including the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award, multiple Nigeria Media Merit Awards, the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Journalism, and the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.
Nabilah Usman
General Manager, Radio Now 95.3FM
Nabilah Usman is a communications professional with expertise in journalism, public policy and governance. She is the General Manager of Radio Now 95.3FM, Lagos, where she leads strategic programming and public-interest broadcasting. Her career spans journalism, policy communication and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on governance, accountability and institutional development. Nabilah has produced and presented several nationally recognised programmes, including Pivotal, and served as Associate Producer for The Candidates 2023 and the Open Square town hall series. Her work is driven by a commitment to making complex public policy issues accessible through credible and impactful storytelling.
Bernard Akede
Head of Reportorial, News Central TV
Bernard Akede is an award-winning broadcast journalist, international correspondent and media executive. He is the Head of Reportorial and International Correspondent at News Central TV, where he leads newsroom reporting operations and covers major national, continental and global events. With over a decade of experience in television, radio and digital journalism, Bernard has reported extensively on governance, elections, diplomacy, security and public policy, earning a reputation for accurate, ethical and public-interest reporting. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about mentoring emerging journalists, facilitating training on television news reporting and multimedia storytelling to strengthen journalistic excellence and media accountability across Africa.
Khadijah El-Usman
Senior Programmes Officer, Anglophone West Africa, Paradigm Initiative
Khadijah El-Usman is a digital governance expert and legal practitioner serving as Senior Programmes Officer for Anglophone West Africa at Paradigm Initiative (PIN). She leads policy advocacy, strategic litigation, and capacity-building initiatives that advance digital rights, internet freedom, and inclusive digital governance across the region. Specialising in data governance, artificial intelligence, elections, and online safety, she has worked extensively with governments, civil society, journalists, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to strengthen digital rights protections. Khadijah serves on the Advisory Network of the Freedom Online Coalition and sits on the Board of the CSO Accountability and Transparency Initiative (CATI), promoting an enabling environment for civil society in Nigeria.
Ayo Mairo-Ese
Anchor, Arise News
Ayo Mairo-Ese is a multiple award-winning broadcaster, communications strategist and public speaker. She is an Anchor at Arise News, where she co-hosts The Morning Show, one of Africa’s leading breakfast television programmes. Over the years, she has moderated high-level national and international conversations involving government leaders, business executives and development partners. Recognised among Nigeria’s Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Journalism in 2023 and 2024, Ayo is also Co-founder of SpeakHer Hub Network, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering women through communication excellence. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organisations championing education, women’s empowerment and community development.
Mariam Alo
Programmes Officer, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism
Mariam Alo is a legal practitioner and Programmes Officer at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), where she leads programme design, research, stakeholder engagement and advocacy initiatives that advance accountability, transparency and democratic governance. With over a decade of legal practice, she has extensive experience in criminal defence, socio-economic rights litigation and interventions addressing sexual and gender-based violence. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ibadan and was called to the Nigerian Bar after completing her professional training at the Nigerian Law School. Her work focuses on strengthening civic space, investigative journalism and institutional accountability in Nigeria.
Muftau Gbadegesin
Sustianable Development Practitioner
Muftau Gbadegesin is a sustainable development practitioner, public affairs commentator and policy analyst. He is a graduate of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) and holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development Practice from the University of Ibadan. Over the past five years, he has built a reputation as a columnist and political writer, contributing analyses on governance, democracy and public policy to leading Nigerian media outlets, including Punch, The Guardian, THISDAY, Daily Trust, Nigerian Tribune and The Nation. His work champions citizen participation, inclusive development and democratic accountability, drawing on extensive experience in policy advocacy and community engagement.