By
Gloria Josiah
The Executive Director of the International Press Centre, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, has been named Deputy Convenor of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, IFEX, and also appointed to serve on its 13-member Governance Committee.
Arogundade was first elected to the IFEX Council during its reconvened Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2026.
His new roles were unanimously approved at the inaugural meeting of the 2026–2029 IFEX Council held on Wednesday, August 5. At the same meeting, Layal Bahnam, Program Manager at the Maharat Foundation, was appointed Convenor, while Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited, was named Treasurer.
As Deputy Convenor, Arogundade will assist the Convenor in providing leadership for the Council. In the Convenor’s absence, he will chair Council and members’ meetings, set up Council committees when needed, support the execution of Council decisions, encourage member participation, and help ensure effective governance of the network.
He will also serve on the IFEX Governance Committee, where he will work to strengthen the network’s governance structure, institutional performance, and strategic direction.
Reacting to the appointments, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, Chairman of the IPC Governing Board, and former IFEX Convenor and Council member, congratulated Arogundade. He noted that the appointments come at a critical time for global efforts to protect press freedom.
“IFEX has long led the defense of free expression and support for journalists worldwide. At a time when threats to media freedom are rising, these appointments will strengthen the network’s joint advocacy for press freedom and access to information. I wish him a successful and impactful tenure,” Ojo said.
Speaking on the new responsibilities, Arogundade said:
“These are not just leadership positions, but an added responsibility to help shape the strategic direction of a network whose collective voice matters now more than ever. I look forward to working with the Convenor, other Council members, and the wider IFEX membership to increase the network’s impact and strengthen our response to attacks on free speech, independent journalism, and access to information.”
IPC joined IFEX in 2016. The network brings together more than 100 independent civil society organizations working to promote freedom of expression and journalists’ rights.
Founded in 1992, IFEX advances these goals through advocacy, research, policy work, emergency support, and international solidarity. The network also sits on the Media Freedom Coalition’s Consultative Network and the Freedom Online Coalition’s Advisory Network, contributing to global policy discussions on media freedom, digital rights, and civic space.
