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 as part of the new leadership structure for the 2026–2029 council.
The Communications Officer of the IPC, Olutoyin Ayoade, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday.
According to the statement, Arogundade was first elected to the IFEX Council at its reconvened Annual General Meeting held 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.
The meeting 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 the Convenor’s responsibilities in his or her absence.
His duties will include chairing Council and members’ meetings, convening Council committees when required, supporting the implementation of Council decisions and encouraging active participation among Council members.
He will also contribute to the effective governance and strategic direction of the global free-expression network.
As a member of the Governance Committee, Arogundade will contribute to efforts to strengthen IFEX’s governance framework, institutional effectiveness and strategic oversight.
The Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Chairman of the IPC Governing Board and former IFEX Convenor and Council member, Edetaen Ojo, congratulated Arogundade on his new responsibilities.
Ojo said the appointments came at a critical time for global efforts to defend press freedom, describing IFEX as a leading force in protecting 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. I wish him a successful and impactful tenure,” he said.
Arogundade said his new roles represented more than leadership positions, describing them as an opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of a network whose collective voice had become increasingly important.
“To me, they are not mere leadership roles, but more responsibility to contribute to the shaping of the strategic direction of a network whose collective voice has never been more important,” he said.
He added that he would work with the Convenor, fellow Council members and the wider IFEX membership to strengthen the network’s impact and respond collectively to challenges confronting free speech, independent journalism and access to information.
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 pursues its objectives through advocacy, research, policy engagement, emergency assistance, and international solidarity.
IFEX 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.
