New Appointments at Development Reporting Africa Foundation

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Folasade Ogunsola, and the former Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Olanrewaju Fagbohun, have been named as chairs of the advisory board for the Development Reporting Africa Foundation (DRAF). This foundation is the non-profit branch of DevReporting.

Ms Ogunsola is a professor of medical microbiology, while Mr Fagbohun is a professor of environmental law. They join four other members on the six-member advisory board.

Samson Ademola, who is DevReporting’s Project Manager and Associate Editor, will be the first Executive Director of the foundation.

The appointments were revealed on 29 October during the launch of DRAF at the University of Lagos.

The event also showcased the premiere of LG’s Billion in the Dark. This is an investigative documentary by DevReporting that looks into the ongoing local government leadership crisis in Osun State. A fundraising effort to support the foundation's work was also part of the event.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana gave the keynote speech. Dapo Olorunyomi, the publisher of PREMIUM TIMES and CEO of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), chaired the gathering.

New Foundation

DRAF is the non-profit part of Development Reporting Services Limited, the publishers of DevReporting.

The foundation aims to boost development journalism, push for research, promote public accountability, and create partnerships that help sustainable development in Africa.

Mojeed Alabi, Team Lead and Editor-in-Chief of DevReporting, chairs the Board of Directors.

Besides Ms Ogunsola and Mr Fagbohun, the advisory board includes Blessing Ahmed, Managing Partner of Blue Diamond Law Firm; Oluwole Alabi, an obstetrician and gynaecologist; Theophilus Abbah, Director of Daily Trust Foundation; and Bolaji Abimbola, Managing Director of Integrated Indigo Limited.

The advisory board will provide guidance and support for the foundation’s growth and partnerships.

Ademola Takes Charge

Mr Ademola has over ten years of experience in program management, research, journalism, and media development. He has managed donor-funded projects in Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.

Before this, he worked for about eight years at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ). There, he managed programs supported by the MacArthur Foundation, Gates Foundation, and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). This included grants to over 25 media organizations.

In response to his appointment, Mr Ademola expressed gratitude to the Board of Directors for their trust in him.

"I am grateful for the confidence reposed in me to lead the Foundation. 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."

He looks forward to working with the board, advisers, partners, and other stakeholders to turn the foundation’s vision into programs that have a real impact.

Mr Ademola also shared plans for programs, including youth engagement through campus documentary screenings, training, mentorship, and youth-led accountability projects across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

He mentioned that the fundraising effort would help gather resources for these programs and other activities that aim to strengthen public-interest journalism and encourage citizens to take part in governance.

Foundation Seeks Partnerships

DRAF plans to build on DevReporting’s experience in investigative journalism, media development, and collaborative reporting. The foundation aims to strengthen the role of evidence-based journalism in promoting accountability and improving development results.

DRAF is looking for partnerships and support from institutions and individuals who are committed to public-interest journalism and sustainable development.