Influential media mogul and founder of ARISE News Channel and THISDAY Newspapers, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, on Wednesday, unveiled plans to launch Lekeleke, a new African-owned social media platform, aimed at redefining digital engagement.He announced this at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference in Abuja, marking 30 years since the execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa.
It was an event Obaigbena recalled as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He said, “Thirty years ago, we were under a military dictatorship. Thirty years after, we are here celebrating an open engagement with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“So, I thought we must understand why democracy matters, why we must engage, and why we must sustain democracy for the greater good of our nation.”
Obaigbena’s remarks connected Nigeria’s political evolution with its media legacy.
He drew parallels between past leaders who bridged both spheres, including Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and now President Bola Tinubu, all of whom began as media figures before becoming political leaders.
He said, “There are three leaders who were media owners, who had had the fortunes of leading Nigeria one way or the other. The first was Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Head of State without being Head of Government.
“The second is Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was Leader of the Opposition and later Deputy Chairman of the Federal Executive Council under Gowon. The third is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is both the Leader of Government and Head of State. So we’ve had the fortune of having a media owner as Head of State. Therefore, hosting us today is an advancement of that.
“Therefore, it means we have to engage, we have to discuss, and we have to understand ourselves.”
The ARISE News founder urged editors to play an active role in national stability amid ongoing economic reforms.
He warned against complacency, especially as Nigeria stands on the gates of stability after years of tough fiscal adjustments.
“We are at a crossroad of reforms, which has been hard and hard fought. And now we stand on the gates of stability. We must protect that economic stability with everything we have. Because if we lose the current stability, we lose the sacrifices of the last two years.
“It therefore means that collectively, we cannot allow a US sanction, because a US sanction will destabilise the economy and bring us all back to the time before the reforms. What does that mean? It means we must engage. It means we must build a coalition of the willing to defeat terrorism and insecurity, and defeat poverty. As editors, that is our key role in ensuring stability,” he stated.
Obaigbena emphasised that Africa must not remain a passive consumer in the global digital economy.
“Having said that, where do editors belong today? We are in the age of Artificial Intelligence. It means your whole financial model of having the algorithms of Google leading to searches for all of us, maybe leading to monetization of content, is changing. AI is changing the format of Google and the format of the search engine. And it’s going to change how journalism is run. And therefore, as Africans, we are confronted by a world where one or two countries control distribution.
“That is, distribution of content through social media is controlled principally by the US and controlled to an extent by China. So that is the future of the information age we are bathing into. What are we doing about it? How are we responding to it? We have launched our own social media channel to be released in January called LekeLeke, and that will shape the future and challenge the dominance of the US and China.
“But all of us, all of us have a responsibility to watch the AI-dominated future, and build technology and algorithms that will affect how media is distributed and how content is earned,”
Obaigbena concluded his speech with a rallying call for national unity and the defense of free speech.
“So, as we gather here today, I think we should celebrate democracy. And we should celebrate Nigeria. And we should work together for the sake of Nigeria.
“So, as we celebrate free speech and Nigeria, I want all of us to give a round of applause to Nigeria,” he added.
Obaigbena has made a significant impact in Nigeria’s media landscape.
Born on July 14, 1959, in Ibadan, Nigeria, he is the founder of THISDAY Media Group and ARISE News Channel.
His journey in media began in 1995 with the launch of THISDAY, a newspaper that quickly gained popularity and became a household name in Nigeria.
ARISE News, launched in 2013, offers a unique African perspective, broadcasting from London, New York, Johannesburg, and Lagos.
Obaigbena’s media empire includes ARISE Magazine, which showcases African fashion and culture. As Chairman of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Press Organisation, he champions press freedom and journalistic integrity.
He was awarded Commander of the Order of the Niger, conferred by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022, for his contributions to the media. Obaigbena’s innovative approach to media has positioned African narratives on the global stage, inspiring future generations of media entrepreneurs.
