LAGOS/Nigeria: The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, has assumed a new leadership role within the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), following his election as Deputy Convenor of the network’s 13-member Council.
Arogundade will also serve on the IFEX Governance Committee, placing him among those responsible for providing strategic direction and strengthening the organisation’s governance as it continues its global advocacy for freedom of expression and media rights.
His appointment followed the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted 2026–2029 IFEX Council on August 5, where members unanimously endorsed him as Deputy Convenor.
The Council also appointed Layal Bahnam, Programme Manager at the Maharat Foundation, as Convenor, while Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited, emerged as Treasurer.
Arogundade had earlier been elected to the IFEX Council during the organisation’s reconvened Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2026.
In his new capacity, Arogundade is expected to support the Convenor in coordinating the work of the Council and take over key leadership responsibilities whenever the Convenor is unavailable. His duties will also include chairing Council and members’ meetings, supporting the implementation of decisions, encouraging participation among Council members and helping to coordinate the work of Council committees.
His membership of the Governance Committee will further see him contribute to discussions around institutional effectiveness, governance structures and strategic oversight within the international network.
Chairman of the IPC Governing Board and Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Edetaen Ojo, congratulated Arogundade on his election, describing the new responsibilities as significant to ongoing global efforts to protect press freedom.
Ojo, who previously served as IFEX Convenor and Council member, said the network’s role had become increasingly important amid growing challenges confronting media freedom and access to information.
Arogundade, in his reaction, said he regarded the new positions as an opportunity to contribute more actively to the strategic direction of IFEX rather than simply as leadership titles.
He said he looked forward to working with the Convenor, fellow Council members and the wider IFEX membership to strengthen the network’s response to challenges affecting free expression, independent journalism and access to information.
The IPC has been a member of IFEX since 2016, joining more than 100 independent civil society organisations within the global network working to promote freedom of expression and protect journalists’ rights.
Founded in 1992, IFEX carries out advocacy, research, policy engagement, emergency assistance and international solidarity initiatives in support of free expression.
The network also participates in international policy platforms, including the Media Freedom Coalition’s Consultative Network and the Advisory Network of the Freedom Online Coalition, where it contributes to discussions on media freedom, digital rights and civic space.
