By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, has been elected Deputy Convenor of the 13-member Council of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX).
Arogundade was also appointed a member of the IFEX Governance Committee, placing him in key leadership roles within the global network focused on freedom of expression and journalists’ rights.
His election to the IFEX Council was first concluded 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 on August 5.
Arogundade’s new responsibilities
As Deputy Convenor, Arogundade will support the Convenor in providing leadership to the Council and assume the Convenor’s responsibilities when required.
His duties will include chairing Council and members’ meetings, convening Council committees when necessary, supporting the implementation of Council decisions and encouraging active participation among Council members.
He will also contribute to the governance of IFEX through his membership of the Governance Committee, with responsibilities focused on strengthening the network’s governance framework, institutional effectiveness and strategic oversight.
Layal Bahnam, Programme Manager at the Maharat Foundation, was appointed Convenor of the Council, while Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited, was appointed Treasurer.
Arogundade speaks on new role
Arogundade described the appointments as an opportunity to take on greater responsibility in shaping the strategic direction of IFEX.
He said he would work with the Convenor, other Council members and the wider IFEX membership to strengthen the network’s impact and respond to challenges affecting free speech, independent journalism and access to information.
The Chairman of the IPC Governing Board and former IFEX Convenor, Edetaen Ojo, congratulated Arogundade, saying the appointments came at an important time for global efforts to defend press freedom.
Ojo said the new leadership responsibilities would strengthen IFEX’s advocacy for press freedom and access to information amid growing threats to media freedom.
IPC’s role in global press freedom network
The IPC has been a member of IFEX since 2016 and is part of a global network of more than 100 independent civil society organisations working to advance freedom of expression and journalists’ rights.
Established in 1992, IFEX works through advocacy, research, policy engagement, emergency assistance and international solidarity.
The network also participates in the Media Freedom Coalition’s Consultative Network and the Freedom Online Coalition’s Advisory Network, contributing to international discussions on media freedom, digital rights and civic space.
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