Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, Managing Director of ARISE TV, has been named the most powerful woman making an impact in journalism in Nigeria by Women in Journalism Africa.
The former Editor of THISDAY Newspaper was listed among 24 others in WiJAfrica’s list of “25 Most Powerful” women in journalism, for 2020. Spurred by her “national and industry credence,” she emerged at the top of the list.
Ijeoma Nwogwugwu was chosen because she “brings to journalism a wealth of experience across private and public sectors.”
Kadaria Ahmed and Chris Anyanwu, MFR, a recipient of the IWMF Courage in Journalism Award, were ranked second and third, respectively.
According to WIJAfrica, the 25 women on the list are measured by “the size and effectiveness of her influence in national affairs, her influence in the media industry, her experience and the arc of her career and finally, her social and cultural influence.”
It also said that most of the women on the list often shun the limelight, preferring to work behind the scenes.
The statement read: “Many of them will not be well-known to the public, but their understated approach is often the source of their power and longevity.”
“Some of the names may be debated, but this does not diminish their impact or the fact that they have clearly helped shape major issues in our polity.”
Other women on the list include Olusola Momoh, Bilikisu Labaran, Stella Din Jacob, Lady Maiden Ibru, Mo Abudu, Funke Egbemode, Tosin Dokpesi, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, Ruth Osime, Toyosi Ogunseye, Ifeyinwa Omowole, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, Uche Pedro, Linda Ikeji, Morayo Afolabi Brown, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Eugenia Abu, Stephanie Busari, Kiki Mordi, Ruona Meyer, and Adedoja Allen and Angel Emuwa.
WiJAFRICA is the annual gathering of women working in the field of journalism and the media across Africa. The program is organised by WiJAfrica, supported by local and international partners with “the aim of advancing conversations around the practice of journalism in Africa, promoting best practices and supporting innovation in the profession.”
The first WiJ Conference held in 2014 at the Civic Centre in Lagos, with the CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation, Monique Villa as the Keynote Speaker. Since then, notable speeches have been delivered at subsequent Conferences by Rhodes University’s Professor Anthea Garman, Courage in Journalism Winner, Chris Anyanwu and award-winning international journalist, Anna Cunningham in October 2019.
WiJAfrica has also seen extensive collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), UNESCO, the School of Media and Communication at the Pan-Atlantic University and the Mass Communications Department of the University of Lagos.
In 2015, WiJAfrica created a list of 50 Women Changing Journalism, which received wide attention. The 2015 Conference also saw leading global affairs journalist, Christiane Amanpour issue a statement of support for WiJ2015 and women journalists operating out of Africa.
