Alumni Spotlight: Kunle Adebajo

Kunle Adebajo is a meticulous storyteller whose work sits at the intersection of conflict, disinformation, accountability, and human rights reporting. Combining investigative rigour with creative execution and data insight, he has built a reputation for producing reports that bridge knowledge gaps, amplify underreported voices, and shape public understanding.

Currently, he serves as a Project Manager at Code for Africa, where he is also Editor for the African Academy for Open Source Investigations. In this role, he helps build journalists’ capacity to produce investigative stories, including those driven by open-source intelligence (OSINT). Before this, Kunle led the investigations desk at HumAngle and worked as an investigative reporter at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting.

Kunle’s Experience with Campus Reporter

Kunle was part of the Campus Reporter Journalism Clinic at the University of Ibadan in 2017. Following the training, he was invited to additional specialised programmes by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, where he was introduced to fact-checking and data journalism.

In 2018, he won the Alfred Opubor Award for Best Opinion Piece, a milestone he describes as a major source of motivation early in his career. Since then, he has earned multiple recognitions, including awards from CJID, affirming his consistency and impact in the field.

“The Next Gen Programme is a Huge Deal” — Kunle

Before the 2017 Campus Reporter training, Kunle was already writing compelling stories, but needed exposure to the structures of professional journalism.

Reflecting on his experience, he says, “You need to be familiar with ethics, principles, and codes of conduct. You need access to tools and to know how to use them. That’s what Campus Reporter did for me. It exposed me to the professional side of journalism beyond the fun and recreational side.”

Describing the importance of the project, Kunle notes that the CJID Campus Reporter/Next Gen programme does not just attract young people to journalism but also equips them with the support they need to grow.

“The Next Gen programme is a huge deal. Young journalists need skills, platforms, funding, and role models, and the programme provides all of that in one package.”

He adds that the project serves as a talent pipeline for mainstream journalism, offering a practical solution to the growing challenge newsroom managers face in finding skilled talent.

Advice for Campus Journalists

For campus journalists navigating the early stages of their careers, Kunle advises them to focus on enjoying the process rather than overthinking it.

“The truth is, as a young person, you can afford to make mistakes. So don’t be afraid to.”

He emphasises that no experience is wasted and that even difficult moments can contribute to a larger vision. However, he also stresses the importance of self-awareness:

“If you stop enjoying what you’re doing, then something is wrong. You should pivot as soon as you can.”

Kunle is one of many outstanding journalists who, early in their career, participated in the Campus Reporter trainings. Launched in 2017, the programme has grown into a leading learning platform for campus journalists, training over 4,000 students across West Africa.