The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade, has assumed the role of 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.
He was first elected to the IFEX Council at its reconvened Annual General Meeting on July 16.
His election as Deputy Convenor and appointment to the Governance Committee were unanimously approved at the inaugural meeting of the 2026–2029 IFEX Council held on Aug. 5.
The council also appointed Layal Bahnam, Programme Manager at the Maharat Foundation, as Convenor, while Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited, was appointed Treasurer.
As Deputy Convenor, Arogundade will support the Convenor in providing leadership to the council and assume relevant responsibilities in the Convenor’s absence.
His responsibilities will include chairing council and members’ meetings, convening council committees, supporting the implementation of council decisions and encouraging active participation by council members.
He will also contribute to strengthening IFEX’s governance framework, institutional effectiveness and strategic oversight as a member of the Governance Committee.
Mr. Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Chairman of the IPC Governing Board and former IFEX Convenor, congratulated Arogundade on his new responsibilities.
Ojo said the appointments came at a defining moment for global efforts to defend press freedom, particularly amid growing threats to media 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,” he said.
Arogundade said the new positions represented greater responsibility to contribute to the strategic direction of a network whose collective voice had never been more important.
“I am therefore set to work with the Convenor, fellow Council members and the wider IFEX membership to strengthen the network’s impact and reinforce our collective response to the encumbrances on free speech, independent journalism and access to information,” he said.
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 committed to advancing 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 serves on 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.
