Fisayo Soyombo, a Nigerian journalist and the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), is known for his daring undercover work to expose corruption in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. His investigations have led to him spending time in a police cell as a suspect and as an inmate in Ikoyi Prison. In another instance, he drove a stolen vehicle from Abuja to Lagos, passing through 86 checkpoints in a journey spanning over 1,600 km in just over 28 hours.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Fisayo Babatunde Soyombo |
| Date Of Birth: | October, 27 |
| Place Of Birth: | Abeokuta, Ondo, Nigeria |
| State Of Origin: | Ogun State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Spouse: | N/A |
| Occupation: | Investigative Journalist |
| Net Worth: | N/A |
Early Life And Education
Soyombo, originally from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, was born in Abeokuta, where he attended Lawson’s Childcare Nursery and Primary School, Labso Nursery and Primary School, and African Church Grammar School.
After a year at the Federal University of Agriculture in Alabata, he transferred to the University of Ibadan in 2004 to pursue a degree in agriculture. He later graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture in Animal Science.
Career
During his time at the University of Ibadan, Soyombo was active in campus journalism and won multiple awards from organizations like the Union of Campus Journalists and Mellamby Hall Press. He interned at The Guardian newspaper where he developed a mentorship with editor Jahman Anikulapo.
After various internships and national youth service, Soyombo joined several publications including The Cable and Sahara Reporters, where he introduced investigative journalism.
In a daring undercover report, he drove a ‘stolen’ vehicle from Abuja to Lagos without being caught by police at 86 checkpoints. His investigative work on corruption in Nigeria’s justice system led to plans by authorities to arrest him, sparking the hashtag #KeepFisayoSafe on Twitter for his protection.
Soyombo had a brief editorial role at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, where he conducted an investigative report on the poor conditions and corruption in Nigerian mortuaries.
He then served as the managing editor of Sahara Reporters from May 2018 to 2019 before transitioning to freelance investigative reporting. In 2020, he founded FIJ, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization.
In his investigative work, Soyombo spent time undercover to expose corruption in Nigeria’s criminal justice system and poor conditions at a psychiatric hospital.
He also published impactful investigations, including ‘Portraits of Blood’ detailing casualties from the Lekki Toll Plaza shooting and ‘Forgotten Soldiers’ highlighting the neglect of injured soldiers.
His reporting has led to tangible outcomes, such as securing a prosthesis for a soldier and aiding others with hearing loss.
Controversy
On June 18, 2020, Soyombo posted on his verified Twitter account that former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, had passed away. However, Ajimobi’s family denied this, clarifying that he was still on life support.
Despite facing criticism, Soyombo stood by his statement and posted an update that his reliable source maintained that the former governor had passed, even though he had not been taken off life support.
Arrest
Fisayo Soyomb was arrested by the Nigerian Army On November 26, 2024, during an operation against illegal oil bunkering in Port Harcourt.
He was detained for three days without formal charges, sparking widespread condemnation from journalists and human rights organizations who criticized the military’s authority to detain civilians.
Soyombo was released on November 29 after significant public advocacy and intervention from the International Press Institute, which highlighted concerns over press freedom in Nigeria.
Following his release, Soyombo expressed gratitude for the support that facilitated his freedom.
Personal Life
Fisayo Soyombo keeps his personal life relatively private. There is no publicly available information confirming whether he is married or has children.
His focus appears to be primarily on his work as an investigative journalist and the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). He is known for his dedication to exposing corruption and advocating for press freedom in Nigeria, which often takes precedence in public discussions about him.
Fisayo Soyombo Net Worth
The current net worth of Fisayo Soyombo is not publicly available, as specific financial details about him are rarely disclosed.
As a prominent investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), his income likely derives from journalism, awards, and speaking engagements.
Notable Works
Fisayo Soyombo is renowned for several notable investigative works, including:
- Undercover Investigation of Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System: Soyombo spent two weeks in detention, posing as a suspect to expose corruption, leading to significant public attention and awards.
- Forgotten Soldiers: A five-part series highlighting the neglect of soldiers injured in the fight against Boko Haram, resulting in improved care for some veterans.
- Corruption in Mortuaries: An investigation revealing bribery and poor conditions in Nigerian mortuaries and cemeteries.
- Yaba Left Undercover Investigation: He spent ten days as a patient in a psychiatric hospital to uncover systemic issues within the facility.
- Driving a Stolen Vehicle: Documented his journey through 86 checkpoints from Abuja to Lagos to illustrate corruption and inefficiency in law enforcement.
These works exemplify his commitment to exposing societal injustices through rigorous journalism.
Awards And Recognitions
Fisayo Soyombo has received numerous awards and recognitions for his impactful investigative journalism. Key accolades include:
- Fetisov Journalism Award (2021): Second Prize for Outstanding Investigation.
- Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism (2020): Winner in the Local Reporter category.
- People Journalism Prize for Africa (2020): Winner.
- Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting: Three-time winner (2016, 2017, 2019).
- Reuters Institute Fellowship (2022): Selected as a fellow at the University of Oxford.
- One World Media Awards: Finalist for International Journalist of the Year (2021).
These honors highlight his commitment to uncovering corruption and advocating for justice in Nigeria.
