Funmi Iyanda
Encyclopedia
Olufunmilola Aduke Iyanda (born July 27 1971), better known as Funmi Iyanda is a multi award winning broadcaster, journalist, columnist and blogger. She produced and hosted Nigeria’s most popular and authoritative talk show New Dawn with Funmi, which aired on the national network for over eight years. Funmi is the CEO of Ignite Media, a content driven media organization operating out of Lagos.
, Nigeria
, and then went to the University of Ibadan
where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography.
Fresh out of university Funmi explored her deep passion for sports, entering the world of sports journalism. One of the few Nigerian female sports journalists, she covered the 1999 female Football World Cup, the All Africa Games in Zimbabwe, as well as the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens.
She was an active member of the Nigerian Football Association between 1995 and 2003.
The show focused on the injustices suffered by Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable members such as women and children. The show was syndicated on national television.
"New Dawn with Funmi" started in 2000 and ran daily on NTA 10 Lagos. The success of the show made it the longest running independently produced show on NTA. The show used its influence as a vehicle for social change and transformation by advocating the cause of the vulnerable members of the society, particularly women, youth and children. New Dawn gave birth to the "Change-A-Life" social intervention project. Over the years, Change-A-Life has affected the lives of many children and people through its scholarship, healthcare, counseling and micro-finance intervention scheme. The scholarship scheme supports 98 children.
Funmi has also written regular columns in Tempo Magazine. On occasion she still serves as guest columnist for Farafina Magazine. She has also written for PM NEWS, Punch, Daily Trust & Vanguard Newspapers.
Funmi serves on the Board of Farafina Trust and Positive Impact Youth Network.
In her spare time Funmi reads voraciously, watches movies and supports her favourite football team, Chelsea FC.
Early life
She attended Herbert Macaulay School in LagosLagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, and then went to the University of Ibadan
University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is the oldest Nigerian university, and is located five miles from the centre of the major city of Ibadan in Western Nigeria...
where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography.
Fresh out of university Funmi explored her deep passion for sports, entering the world of sports journalism. One of the few Nigerian female sports journalists, she covered the 1999 female Football World Cup, the All Africa Games in Zimbabwe, as well as the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens.
She was an active member of the Nigerian Football Association between 1995 and 2003.
Good Morning Nigeria
Funmi's foray into television began when she started producing and presenting "Good Morning Nigeria" a breakfast magazine television show. The show became a hit, with its "Heroes" segment which exalted the achievement of deserving members of the society and "Street Life", which unlike many shows at the time went out on the streets in search of compelling Nigerian human interest stories.The show focused on the injustices suffered by Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable members such as women and children. The show was syndicated on national television.
New Dawn with Funmi
Armed with the experience gained during the era of "Good Morning Nigeria" Funmi sought a bigger platform to reach people and in 2000 she began producing and hosting the programme "New Dawn"."New Dawn with Funmi" started in 2000 and ran daily on NTA 10 Lagos. The success of the show made it the longest running independently produced show on NTA. The show used its influence as a vehicle for social change and transformation by advocating the cause of the vulnerable members of the society, particularly women, youth and children. New Dawn gave birth to the "Change-A-Life" social intervention project. Over the years, Change-A-Life has affected the lives of many children and people through its scholarship, healthcare, counseling and micro-finance intervention scheme. The scholarship scheme supports 98 children.
Funmi has also written regular columns in Tempo Magazine. On occasion she still serves as guest columnist for Farafina Magazine. She has also written for PM NEWS, Punch, Daily Trust & Vanguard Newspapers.
Talk With Funmi
In 2010, Funmi Iyanda completed production on "Talk with Funmi" a groundbreaking television show, directed by Chris Dada. Talk With Funmi journeys Nigeria, from state to state, capturing people and conversations around the country. It is a thought provoking, illuminating and entertaining journey into the life of Nigerians from all over the country. The show talks to people everywhere – from ordinary citizens going about their business to celebrities in unusual but natural settings. TWF is syndicated on channels across Nigeria.Personal life
An innovator in her sphere Funmi has won tremendous recognition for her work in the media and for her humanitarian and philanthropic interventions. She is an African Leadership Institute Tutu Fellow and a participant of the ASPEN Institute’s Forum for Communications and SocietyFunmi serves on the Board of Farafina Trust and Positive Impact Youth Network.
In her spare time Funmi reads voraciously, watches movies and supports her favourite football team, Chelsea FC.