IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade Elected to IFEX Global Council

By Joseph Sunday

The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, has been elected to the Council of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) for the 2026–2029 term.

His election was announced on Friday in a statement signed by the IPC Communications Officer, Olutoyin Ayoade.

Arogundade will serve on the 13-member Council, the governing body of the global network responsible for setting strategic direction, providing institutional oversight and guiding the implementation of IFEX programmes and priorities.

According to IPC, his election is a significant milestone that reinforces the Centre’s commitment to advancing media freedom, freedom of expression and access to information globally.

The newly elected Council reflects IFEX’s commitment to inclusive and regionally balanced governance, with members drawn from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The members are: Sana Ali (Pakistan Press Foundation); Shireen Al-Khatib (Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms – MADA); Lanre Arogundade (International Press Centre); Yara Bader (Syrian Center for Media and Free Expression); Layal Bahnam (Maharat Foundation); Nighat Dad (Digital Rights Foundation); Ashnah Kalemera (CIPESA); Leticia Kleim (Brazilian Association for Investigative Journalism – ABRAJI); Ruth Kronenberg (Free Press Unlimited); Ayaa Irene Lokang (Association for Media and Development in South Sudan – AMDISS); Kiran Maharaj (Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association); Babette Ngene (Electronic Frontier Foundation); and Ahmad Quraishi (Afghanistan Journalists Center).

With over three decades of experience in journalism, media development, journalists’ safety, democratic governance and rights-based advocacy, Arogundade brings extensive expertise to the Council at a critical time for independent journalism.

Reacting to his election, Arogundade said, “I am honoured by the confidence of IFEX members and grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Council. 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. I look forward to working with fellow Council members to strengthen efforts that uphold freedom of expression and advance independent journalism across Nigeria, Africa and the wider global media landscape.”

IPC is one of over 100 independent civil society organisations in the IFEX network, a global alliance dedicated to defending and promoting freedom of expression and access to information as fundamental human rights.

Established in 1992, IFEX advances freedom of expression through advocacy, research, policy engagement, emergency assistance and international solidarity. The network also serves on the Media Freedom Coalition’s Consultative Network and the Advisory Network of the Freedom Online Coalition.

The IPC congratulated all members of the incoming Council and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at protecting freedom of expression and defending independent journalism worldwide.