Our Woman Crush Wednesday, Yemisi Lanre-Idowu is a bookworm. Growing up, she read for fun but later turned it into a passion and a source of income through storytelling. Yemisi is a multimedia journalist with almost two decades of experience reporting extensively on business in Africa, and working in different capabilities as an anchor, reporter, and digital producer.
Speaking about one principle that has sustained her through the years as a journalist, Yemisi notes that “you can only be a good presenter if you are a good producer”. Applying this mantra to her field has enabled her to skilfully navigate the world of journalism, and in doing so recording some career achievements. She was the first female Bulletin Editor at one of Nigeria’s pan-African television stations – TVC News; and also produced and hosted the popular Business Tonight show on the station. She also worked at the BBC as a Senior Broadcast Journalist. She is currently freelancing, including for the Portugal-based research organisation Priori as their Nigerian research analyst.
Her extensive understanding of the evolving digital media landscape led to opportunities as a public speaking specialist, moderator, discussant and compère. She has moderated the Nigeriam Economic Summit Group (NESG), and anchored various corporate events including the prestigious PEARL Awards, Infoware’s CEO Forum, Kano Tannery Business Summit, TIDA conference on tourism development in Africa, Nigeria Tourism Week, Summit on Africa-China Relationship, and Youth iRevive.
As a youth advocate, Yemisi is always grateful for the opportunity to engage youths, because it reminds her that she is doing something right and making lasting impacts. Along with partners, she is developing a storytelling platform, Re-Tellers, which aims to tell inspiring stories one could never imagine.
She is a graduate of Mass Communication, and was a Fellow in Business Journalism at Arizona State University, USA. Yemisi is also an Associate Member of APCON – Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, and a member of the NESG’s Trade, Investment and Competitiveness Policy Committee. She is keen on continuous development, volleyball games, travel, and music.
Since Yemisi is passionate about knowledge and people, you would agree this makes her an ideal Woman Crush. We are rooting for her all the way.
