Fisayo Soyombo

Fisayo Soyombo is a distinguished Nigerian investigative journalist, editor, and documentary filmmaker, widely recognized for his high-risk, undercover investigations into corruption, security, and social issues in Nigeria. His work often involves deep immersion and has led to significant policy changes and public accountability.Early Life and Education Fisayo Soyombo was born and raised in Nigeria. He completed his tertiary education at the University of Ibadan, where he earned a degree in Animal Science. Despite his background in science, his early passion for writing and journalism led him to pursue a career in media.Career Progression Soyombo began his journalism career working with several prominent Nigerian media organizations. He gained early recognition for his commitment to probing sensitive topics, quickly establishing himself as a tenacious reporter. He served as the editor of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) and later founded the Foundation for Investigative Journalism and Social Justice (FIJ) in 2020. FIJ is a non-profit organization dedicated to accountability journalism.Major Achievements and Notable Works Soyombo is best known for his series of deep undercover investigative reports that exposed systemic failures and corruption within Nigeria’s institutions. * **"Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System: How the Police, Lawyers, and the Judiciary Subvert Justice" (2018):** In this notable investigation, Soyombo went undercover as a detention facility inmate for five days to expose the corruption and abuse faced by suspects within Nigeria's criminal justice system, revealing instances of police bribery and illegal detention. * **"Undercover: Life in the Nigerian Police, Prison, and Judiciary" (2019):** Perhaps his most celebrated work, Soyombo spent two weeks in detention—five days in a police cell and eight days as an inmate in Ikoyi Prison—to expose the rampant corruption and inhumane conditions within the Nigerian correctional system. The report led to widespread calls for reform and official government responses. * **"How Corruption Undermines the Nigerian Army's Anti-Boko Haram War" (2020):** In this investigation, he spent time embedded with Nigerian soldiers fighting the Boko Haram insurgency, exposing corruption in military procurement and supply lines that hindered counter-insurgency efforts.His journalism has earned him numerous accolades, including the Investigative Journalist of the Year award multiple times at the Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA) and the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting. He was also named one of the "100 Most Influential Young Africans" by the Africa Youth Awards.Current Status As of his current status, Fisayo Soyombo continues his work as an investigative journalist and activist. He operates as the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism and Social Justice (FIJ), focusing on mentoring the next generation of investigative reporters and producing independent, impactful journalism across Nigeria. His work remains a critical voice for transparency and accountability in the country.