By Joke Kujenya
ONE OF Africa’s fiercest advocates for media freedom and accountability journalism, Dapo Olorunyomi, will be recognised at this year’s Hallmarks of Labour Awards in Lagos.
The trailblazing publisher of Premium Times and co-founder of Nigeria’s foremost investigative journalism institutions is among the distinguished recipients of the 2025 Hallmarks of Labour Awards, a prestigious recognition of exceptional leadership and professional service across Africa.
The Hallmarks of Labour Foundation (HLF) has named Olorunyomi the winner of the HLF-Christopher Kolade Award for Excellence in Leadership and Professionalism in the Media.
According to the organisers, the award honours his sustained commitment to building one of Nigeria’s most respected investigative newsrooms and his unwavering defence of press freedom in the face of adversity.
The ceremony is set for May 3rd in Lagos and will honour a select group of eminent Africans for their achievements in diplomacy, law, science, medicine, education, and public service.
Among those joining Olorunyomi on the honours list are Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, who will receive the HLF-Emeka Anyaoku Life-Time Achievement Award for her international service; retired army general and philanthropist Theophilus Danjuma, to be recognised for Exemplary Philanthropy and Charity; and Professor Olufunmilayo Adebambo, a leading scientist in animal genetics, whose work has advanced food security in Nigeria.
Other honourees include Mariam Katagum, former Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, celebrated for her contributions to good governance; Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, a pioneer in veterinary reproduction and a consistent voice for reform in Nigeria’s university system; and Akinlolu Olujinmi, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who is being recognised for his service to Nigeria’s judicial system.
Professors Adele Jinadu, Olufemi Adelowo, Isaac Adewole, Babajide Alo, and Kalu Onuoha will also be honoured for their significant impact in political science, medicine, chemistry, and geology respectively.
Olorunyomi’s award reflects his lifelong commitment to truth-telling and journalistic integrity.
He has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s democratic struggles, notably during the repressive Abacha regime when he co-founded TheNEWS and TEMPO magazines—both of which operated under threat and censorship.
TEMPO was famously published from a concealed building near police headquarters, leading to arrests of not only staff but readers found in possession of the magazine.
His fearless reporting and dogged pursuit of accountability journalism led to multiple arrests.
In 1995, following death threats from the military regime, he went into hiding.
He eventually fled to the United States of America (USA) in 1996 with the support of international press freedom organisations.
Returning to Nigeria, Olorunyomi continued his mission, founding the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism and Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, both aimed at institutionalising investigative reporting and promoting democratic accountability.
Under his leadership, Premium Times has consistently exposed corruption, challenged abuses of power, and faced down official harassment, including a police raid in 2017 that briefly landed him and a reporter in custody.
Olorunyomi remains active in global press freedom networks, serving on the advisory boards of Africa Check and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).
His contributions to journalism have previously been recognised with international press freedom awards, but this latest honour on home soil affirms his standing as a cornerstone of democratic media in Africa.
In a past acceptance speech, Olorunyomi stated:
“Africa needs a very strong and reliable press. We need bold imagination, a space for debate, a context for dissent… Above all, we need an asset of democracy that helps us interpret and mediate these processes.”
The Hallmarks of Labour Foundation, through its annual awards, seeks to honour such assets—individuals whose lives reflect the values of integrity, excellence, and patriotism, and who inspire new generations to rise above mediocrity and self-interest.
