The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Folasade Ogunsola, alongside the former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Olanrewaju Fagbohun, have been named as co-chairs of the advisory board for the Development Reporting Africa Foundation (DRAF). The announcement was officially made on October 29 during the public unveiling of the non-profit organisation at UNILAG, marking a major milestone for public- interest journalism in the region.
Ms Ogunsola, a distinguished professor of medical microbiology, and Mr Fagbohun, an accomplished professor of environmental law, will lead a six- member advisory board designed to steer the strategic direction of the foundation. Alongside these academic leaders, Samson Ademola—formerly an associate editor and project manager at DevReporting—has assumed office as the pioneer Executive Director of DRAF, bringing over a decade of media management experience to the role.
What transpired during the launch event?
The unveiling ceremony served as a dual platform for institutional introduction and public advocacy. The programme featured the screening of "LG's Billion in the Dark," an investigative documentary produced by DevReporting that scrutinises the protracted local government leadership crisis in Osun State. Furthermore, the event incorporated a fundraising drive aimed at bolstering the foundation's capacity to execute public-accountability projects across the African continent.
The gathering drew prominent figures from Nigeria's civil society and media landscape. Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana delivered the keynote address, while the publisher of PREMIUM TIMES and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Dapo Olorunyomi, presided over the event as chairman.
Who makes up the new advisory board?
DRAF operates as the non-profit wing of Development Reporting Services Limited. Governance of the newly minted foundation rests with a Board of Directors headed by Mojeed Alabi, who serves as the team lead and editor-in- chief.
To ensure robust oversight, the newly appointed advisory board comprises four additional professionals from diverse fields: Blessing Ahmed, Managing Partner of Blue Diamond Law Firm; Oluwole Alabi, an obstetrician and gynaecologist; Theophilus Abbah, Director of the Daily Trust Foundation; and Bolaji Abimbola, Managing Director of Integrated Indigo Limited. According to the organisation, this panel will provide vital institutional support and help forge strategic partnerships.
What are the new leadership's immediate plans?
Speaking on his appointment, Mr Ademola expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors and outlined his vision for the foundation. Having previously managed donor-supported media interventions across Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa during his tenure at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), he pledged to foster sustainable development journalism.
"I am grateful for the confidence reposed in me to lead the Foundation," Mr Ademola stated. "I accept this responsibility with humility, a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to building an institution that makes meaningful contributions to development journalism and sustainable development across Africa."
Among the projected initiatives are youth civic engagement programmes, campus- based documentary screenings, specialized training workshops, and mentorship schemes spanning Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Through these efforts, DRAF aims to deepen citizen participation in governance and champion evidence-based reporting.