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), a global network advocating freedom of expression and media rights.
Arogundade was also appointed a member of the IFEX Governance Committee for the 2026–2029 term.
His election to the IFEX Council was first confirmed at the organisation’s reconvened Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2026.
The new leadership responsibilities were unanimously approved at the inaugural meeting of the 2026–2029 IFEX Council held on August 5.
At the meeting, Layal Bahnam, Programme Manager at the Maharat Foundation, was appointed Convenor, while Ruth Kronenburg, Executive Director of Free Press Unlimited, became Treasurer.
Arogundade to Support IFEX Leadership
As Deputy Convenor, Arogundade will support the Convenor in providing strategic leadership to the IFEX Council and network.
He will also assume the responsibilities of the Convenor when required, including chairing Council and members’ meetings, convening committees, supporting the implementation of Council decisions and promoting active participation among Council members.
In his additional role on the Governance Committee, Arogundade will contribute to strengthening IFEX’s governance framework, institutional effectiveness and strategic oversight.
Congratulating Arogundade, the Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Chairman of the IPC Governing Board and former IFEX Convenor and Council member, Edetaen Ojo, described the appointments as significant at a time of increasing threats to press freedom globally.
Ojo said IFEX had remained a leading force in defending freedom of expression and supporting journalists worldwide, adding that Arogundade’s new responsibilities would contribute to strengthening the network’s collective advocacy for press freedom and access to information.
Arogundade Pledges Stronger Advocacy
Speaking on his appointment, Arogundade said the new positions represented greater responsibility rather than merely leadership titles.
According to him, he would work with the Convenor, fellow Council members and the wider IFEX membership to strengthen the network’s strategic direction and collective response to challenges confronting free speech, independent journalism and access to information.
Arogundade has been part of the IFEX community since 2016, with the IPC participating in the network of more than 100 independent civil society organisations working to advance freedom of expression and journalists’ rights.
Established in 1992, IFEX promotes these objectives 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 global policy discussions on media freedom, digital rights and civic space.
IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade Elected IFEX Deputy Convenor
