IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade Elected IFEX Deputy Convenor
Oru Leonard
LAGOS — The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade, has been elected Deputy Convenor of the 13-member Council of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), while also joining its Governance Committee.
Arogundade was first elected to the IFEX Council at the organisation’s reconvened Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2026.
His appointment as Deputy Convenor and member of the Governance Committee was unanimously approved at the inaugural meeting of the 2026–2029 IFEX Council held on August 5.
The meeting also appointed Layal Bahnam, Programme Manager at the Maharat Foundation, as Convenor, while Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited, was named Treasurer.
As Deputy Convenor, Arogundade will support the Convenor in providing leadership to the Council and, when required, chair Council and members’ meetings, convene Council committees, support the implementation of Council decisions and promote active participation by Council members.
He will also contribute to the effective governance of the network through his membership of the IFEX Governance Committee, with responsibilities covering institutional effectiveness, governance and strategic oversight.
Congratulating Arogundade on his new responsibilities, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Chairman of the IPC Governing Board and former IFEX Convenor and Council member, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, said the appointments came at a critical time for global efforts to defend press freedom.
“IFEX has long been a leading force in defending free expression and supporting journalists worldwide. At a time of growing threats to media freedom, these appointments will help reinforce the network’s collective advocacy for press freedom and access to information,” Ojo said.
He wished Arogundade “a successful and impactful tenure.”
Arogundade described his new responsibilities as more than leadership positions, saying they represented an opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of a network whose collective voice remains crucial to the defence of free expression.
“To me, they are not mere leadership roles, but more responsibility to contribute to the shaping of the strategic direction of a network whose collective voice has never been more important,” he said.
He added that he would work with the Convenor, fellow Council members and the wider IFEX membership to strengthen the network’s impact and enhance collective responses to threats against free speech, independent journalism and access to information.
The IPC has been a member of IFEX since 2016 and is part of a global community of more than 100 independent civil society organisations working to advance free expression and journalists’ rights.
Established in 1992, IFEX pursues its objectives through advocacy, research, policy engagement, emergency assistance and international solidarity.
The network also participates in the Media Freedom Coalition’s Consultative Network and the Advisory Network of the Freedom Online Coalition, contributing to international policy discussions on media freedom, digital rights and civic space.
