Dapo Olorunyomi, others honoured at 2025 Hallmarks of Labour Awards
The Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, has been honoured with the HLF-Christopher Kolade Award for Excellence in Leadership and Professionalism in the Media at the 2025 Hallmarks of Labour Awards.
The event, which took place in Lagos on Saturday, celebrated distinguished Nigerians for their exemplary leadership, ethical conduct, and service in various fields, organized by the Hallmarks of Labour Foundation (HLF).
Mr. Olorunyomi was recognized for his “established track record” in advancing media independence, promoting accountability journalism, and upholding ethical standards in the Nigerian press. He has been pivotal in building one of the country’s most respected investigative newsrooms.
Speaking to journalists at the event, Mr. Olorunyomi stated, “Of course, it is a reminder of the important role that journalism plays in a democracy. People who walk into our society will get better, but we really have to invest more in consequential journalism. Younger journalists are facing the most burden in the history of the world and our country. There’s no time in history when it has been more difficult to do good journalism.”
The 2025 ceremony also honoured several other esteemed individuals, including Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, who received the HLF-Emeka Anyaoku Lifetime Achievement Award. Retired General Theophilus Danjuma was recognised for exemplary philanthropy, while several other awardees were acknowledged for their contributions to science, education, and public health.
HLF chairman Emeka Anyaoku and Executive Secretary Patricia Otuedon-Arawore expressed their admiration for the honourees, praising their commitment to national development. Mrs. Otuedon-Arawore remarked, “The more we do this, the more I wonder why people say Nigeria is not a good country. Every year, we discover more and more role models across different fields.”
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State praised Mr. Danjuma as a “worthy example for the younger generation,” highlighting his moral integrity and service.
The event attracted prominent figures from various sectors, reaffirming the importance of recognizing and supporting exemplary leadership in Nigeria.
About Olorunyomi
Mr Olorunyomi is the publisher of Nigeria’s leading investigative news platform, Premium Times, and the CEO of the Centre for CJID.
Previous to this, he served as pioneer policy director and chief of staff at Nigeria’s leading anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In 1995, Mr Olorunfemi founded Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
The Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, honoured with the HLF-Christopher Kolade Award for Excellence in Leadership and Professionalism
In 2014, Mr Olorunyemi established West Africa’s first journalism innovation and development center – the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (formerly Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism).
He is often referred to as the father of investigative journalism in Nigeria and many awards are testament to his phenomenal work and great legacy in the history of Nigerian media. The most recent award is from the Committee to Protect Journalists in 2020, which also announced him co-recipient of its 2020 International Human Rights Award. He was educated at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; the Washington College of Law, American University, Washington DC; the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and a Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation and Design Thinking by MIT Sloan, Columbia Business School Executive Education, and Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, USA.
