Arogundade hits global stage: IPC boss elected into ifex council  

“At a time when media freedom is under pressure”

It’s a Nigerian voice at the global table.

The International Press Centre, IPC, says the election of its Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, into the 2026–2029 Council of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, IFEX, is “an important milestone” for press freedom in Nigeria and Africa.

The announcement came Friday via IPC Communication Officer, Olutoyin Ayoade.

Arogundade will now serve on IFEX’s 13-member governing Council — the body that sets strategy, provides oversight, and guides the network’s programmes for the next three years.

For IPC, the appointment cements its decades-long work on media freedom, journalists’ safety, and access to information.

A global council, an African voice

The new Council draws from every region: Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Alongside Arogundade are media and digital rights leaders including:

– Sana Ali – Pakistan Press Foundation

– Shireen Al-Khatib – MADA, Palestine

– Yara Bader – Syrian Center for Media and Free Expression

– Nighat Dad – Digital Rights Foundation

– Ashnah Kalemera – CIPESA

– Leticia Kleim – ABRAJI, Brazil

– Ayaa Irene Lokang – AMDISS, South Sudan

And 6 others from Trinidad, Netherlands, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and the US.

“Honoured by the confidence”

With over 30 years in journalism, media development and rights advocacy, Arogundade said he’s ready for the fight ahead.

“I am honoured by the confidence of IFEX members and grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Council,” he said.

“At a time when the ecosystems that sustain media freedom, digital rights and access to information are under increasing pressure, networks such as IFEX remain vital platforms for solidarity, knowledge exchange and collective action.”

He added that he looks forward to working with Council members “in strengthening efforts that uphold freedom of expression, advance independent journalism and respond to shared challenges across Nigeria, Africa and the wider global media landscape.”

—Why it matters—

IFEX, founded in 1992, is a network of over 100 independent civil society groups defending freedom of expression worldwide. It also sits on the Media Freedom Coalition’s Consultative Network and the Freedom Online Coalition’s Advisory Network.

For IPC, Arogundade’s seat means Nigeria will help shape global responses to threats against journalists, shrinking civic space, and digital rights abuses.

IPC noted it has spent years working with partners to promote ethical journalism, electoral integrity, and media professionalism across Africa. This new role, it said, “provides an opportunity to contribute to IFEX’s strategic direction and collective efforts to develop practical responses to challenges… including those faced in Nigeria and other African contexts.”

The Centre congratulated the incoming Council and pledged support “in protecting freedom of expression and defending independent journalism worldwide.”