In a media landscape often silenced by power and smothered by fear, Fisayo Soyombo stands out as one of Nigeria’s most fearless investigative journalists. With a career defined by grit, risk, and moral clarity, Soyombo has used journalism not merely as a tool for storytelling, but as a form of justice.
Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Fisayo’s journey into journalism was ignited by a strong desire to hold systems accountable. He studied Mass Communication at the University of Ibadan and further honed his craft in newsroom environments that demanded both ethical responsibility and creative rigor. Over the years, he’s worked with some of Nigeria’s most respected media platforms, including The Cable, The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), and Al Jazeera. However, his most notable work came while he served as the pioneer editor of TheCable.ng and later as editor at ICIR.
The Undercover Legend
Fisayo gained national and international acclaim in 2019 when he published a groundbreaking three-part undercover investigation titled “Inside Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System.” In the piece, Soyombo posed as a criminal to spend five days in police detention and eight days in Ikoyi Prison, documenting the rot, corruption, and extortion deeply embedded in Nigeria’s justice system.
That single act wasn’t just a journalistic milestone; it was an act of civil courage. The investigation sparked widespread debate, led to calls for reform, and rattled institutions that had grown used to unchecked impunity.
Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ)
In 2020, Fisayo Soyombo founded the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), a platform aimed at promoting public-interest journalism in Nigeria. With FIJ, he envisioned a space where the truth could not only be told but defended. FIJ has since become a hub for bold investigative pieces, with stories on police brutality, political fraud, and government corruption.
Under his leadership, FIJ has also focused on mentoring young journalists and training them in undercover techniques, ethics, and data reporting—a significant contribution in a time when journalism in Nigeria often struggles with capacity and censorship.
Awards and Recognition
Soyombo’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including:
Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (multiple times)
Zimeo Excellence in Media Award (hosted by the African Media Initiative)
Finalist for the One World Media Award
Named as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Young Africans
Despite threats to his life and occasional institutional pushback—including arrests and surveillance—Fisayo remains undeterred. He continues to champion investigative journalism as a vital pillar of democracy.
A Culture of Accountability
What sets Fisayo Soyombo apart is not just his dedication to the truth, but his insistence that journalism must drive change. Whether it’s sleeping on the cold floors of a prison cell or pursuing public office corruption through confidential leaks, Soyombo treats journalism as an act of civic resistance—a shield for the powerless and a sword against injustice.
His work embodies the idea that Nigerian journalism can be more than news reporting; it can be a force for cultural and systemic accountability.
