Nima Elbagir

Nima Elbagir is a prominent Sudanese-British journalist and international correspondent, widely recognized for her courageous investigative reporting and coverage of complex conflicts and humanitarian crises, particularly across Africa and the Middle East. She has established a reputation for journalistic integrity and for often being among the first reporters on the ground in dangerous zones.Early Life and Education Nima Elbagir was born in Khartoum, Sudan, in 1978. Her early life was immersed in journalism; her parents were influential figures in Sudanese media. Her father, Tayeb Elbagir, was a well-known journalist, and her mother, Hawa al-Tayeb, was Sudan’s first female foreign correspondent. This family background significantly shaped her career path. Elbagir relocated to the United Kingdom for her higher education, attending the London School of Economics (LSE), where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.Career Progression Elbagir began her career in journalism working for Reuters in Khartoum. She later moved to London and gained experience working as a reporter and anchor for Channel 4 News. Her international reputation began to solidify when she joined CNN in 2007. Initially based in London, she covered major international news stories. She quickly progressed through the ranks, becoming a Senior International Correspondent. Her reporting assignments have taken her across the globe, covering pivotal events such as the Darfur conflict, the Arab Spring uprisings, the civil war in Syria, the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and the ongoing crises in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Libya. She is renowned for her ability to navigate challenging reporting environments, often conducting clandestine investigations to expose human rights abuses.Major Achievements and Notable Works Elbagir's career is marked by several groundbreaking investigations that have had significant global impact: * **Exposing the Libyan Slave Trade (2017):** Her hidden-camera report, "CNN Investigates: Libya's Slave Auctions," was one of her most impactful pieces. The report provided irrefutable evidence of migrant slave auctions operating in Libya, triggering an international outcry, prompting a United Nations investigation, and leading to diplomatic action by governments worldwide. * **Nigerian Schoolgirl Abductions (2014):** She was one of the key journalists covering the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram, offering persistent coverage that brought the tragedy to global attention. * **Investigative Reporting in Sudan:** Throughout her career, she has consistently provided coverage of political and military conflicts in her native Sudan, offering rare and vital insight into crises in Darfur and the recent conflict that began in 2023.Her work has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including a Peabody Award (for the Libyan slave trade investigation), several Emmy Awards, and the Royal Television Society (RTS) Journalist of the Year Award. In 2008, she received the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).Current Status As of 2024, Nima Elbagir continues her role as CNN’s Senior International Correspondent, focusing on investigative reporting from conflict zones and complex international stories. She remains an active and vocal figure advocating for press freedom and is frequently cited as one of the world's most influential and impactful journalists working in the field today. Her dedication to revealing hidden truths in the most dangerous environments underscores her current and ongoing contribution to global journalism.