Arise TV MD, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, Tops List Of 25 Most Influential Women In Journalism In Nigeria

The title of the most powerful woman journalist in Nigeria has been bestowed on the Managing Director of Arise TV, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, by Women in Journalism in Africa (WIJ Africa), an annual conference held for women journalists on the African continent.

Out of the 150 candidates vying for a spot on the list of 25 most powerful women in journalism in Africa, Ms. Ijeoma ranked atop the list.

Describing the process of ranking the influential women, WIJ Africa said that it collaborated with a "team of industry leaders and practitioners" in its collation of the '25 most powerful' women in the media.

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It also stated that it used 4 criteria to determine the women that would rank on its list, stating that they involved, "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.”

The organisation tweeted, “WiJAfrica worked with a team of industry leaders and practitioners to rank the “25 Most Powerful” women (out of 150!) in the media – particularly journalism.

“It measures the most powerful woman journalist in four (4) criteria: 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.”

Describing Ms. Ijeoma, the organisation said, “She is quick-witted, highly cerebral, and resolutely holds the government of the day accountable. It is no secret that every leader in the field of business and national politics knows Ms. Nwogwugwu personally, but this has not affected her journalistic responsibility to the public.

“Ms. Nwogwugwu brings to journalism a wealth of experience across private and public sectors. She held the track record of editing all three titles under the THISDAY stable for the longest unbroken period of 11 years and is the second woman in the history of Nigerian journalism to be appointed Editor of a national newspaper, the first being Dr. Doyinsola Abiola of Concord.

“Based on her national and industry credence, the trajectory of her career and all-round professionalism, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu is the most powerful woman journalist in Nigeria.”

In response to the news, Ms. Ijeoma tweeted saying, “Thank you Women in Journalism Africa for the recognition. I am most honoured to be among the 25 most Powerful Women in Journalism of our time. And congratulations to all my colleagues and sisters who made this list. We still have so much to accomplish."