The second BBC World News Komla Dumor Award has been awarded to female Nigerian journalist Didi Akinyelure.
The budding journalist who is a broadcaster at CNBC Africa and host of the Open Exchange West Africa is reported to have formerly worked at Barclays Wealth Management in London before relocating to Lagos to work in the Asset Management division of Investment Bank, Oceanic Capital.
Commenting on her successful career as a broadcast journalist, BBC Africa’s Josephine Hazeley, who is one of judges who selected Akinyelure for the award, discussed how Akinyelure excelled in telling business stories, “which was an area Komla was also passionate about.”
Expressing her appreciation on the award, Akinyelure said Dumor is a key inspiration to her, “He told the African story with so much passion for the continent, giving a balanced view and inspiring so many.”
Established in 2014 to honor BBC World News presenter Komla Dumor, the award is meant to acknowledge the works of young and budding journalists across Africa, with Ugandan news anchor Nancy Kacungira being the very first to win the honor.
Having won this year’s award, Akinyelure is expected to start a three-month placement at the BBC in London in September.
