Human rights activist and 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), just as he also appointed a member of its Governance Committee.

Besides, Arogundade was first elected to the IFEX Council at its reconvened Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2026.

His election as deputy convenor and governance committee member was unanimously approved at the inaugural meeting of the 2026–2029 IFEX Council on Wednesday, August 5, where Layal Bahnam, Program Manager at the Maharat Foundation, was appointed Convenor and Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited, was appointed Treasurer.

Specifically , the Deputy Convenor,  Arogundade will support the Convenor in providing leadership to the Council and, in the Convenor’s absence, undertake responsibilities that include chairing Council and members’ meetings, convening Council committees as required, supporting the implementation of Council decisions, encouraging active participation of Council members, and contributing to the effective governance of the network.

Besides, in addition to his responsibilities as Deputy Convenor,  Arogundade will serve on the IFEX Governance Committee, where he will contribute to strengthening the network’s governance framework, institutional effectiveness and strategic oversight.

In a statement, the Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Chairman of the IPC Governing Board, and former IFEX Convenor and former Council member, Edetaen Ojo, congratulated Arogundade on his new IFEX leadership responsibilities, noting that they come at a defining moment for global efforts to defend press freedom.
” Meanwhile, the statement explained that 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. I wish him a successful and impactful tenure “, Ojo added.
Speaking on the significance of the new roles, Arogundade said, “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. 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. ”

The Communication Officer of IPC, Olutoyin Ayoade, in a statement on Monday said,  “since joining IFEX in 2016, IPC has been part of a global community of more than 100 independent civil society organisations committed to advancing free expression and journalists’ rights.”

According to the statement, “established in 1992, the network pursues these goals 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”.