ABOUT
About
Akintunde Babatunde is a Nigerian media-development practitioner and researcher whose work sits at the intersection of media, technology and public life.
Over the past decade, his work has moved across fact-checking, civic technology, media development, natural-resource governance, climate and development, information integrity and, more recently, artificial intelligence and platform governance. Much of this work has involved developing programmes, supporting newsrooms and building institutional responses to changes in the media and information environment.
His career has also moved between practice, research and institution building. He has written for publications including Premium Times, Gas Outlook and ImpactAlpha, worked with the Centre for Investigative Journalism in the UK on climate reporting and newsroom support across Africa, and contributed to mentorship and professional-development initiatives for young people.
Alongside his professional work, Akintunde is a doctoral researcher in Communication Studies (Media Studies) at the University of Iowa. His research examines the changing relationship between states and global digital platforms, with broader interests in platform governance, digital sovereignty, political communication and technology policy. He also teaches at the university, including as instructor of record for Political Communication and Global Media Studies.
He holds an MA with Distinction in Media Practice for Development and Social Change from the University of Sussex and a B.Ed. from the University of Ibadan.
02 — CAREER TRAJECTORY
Career trajectory
Education & quantitative foundation
University of Ibadan, 2012–2016
B.Ed. in Educational Management and Mathematics.
Journalism, fact-checking & civic technology
2016–2019
Research, data, fact-checking, newsroom training and public accountability; part of the team that built DUBAWA and contributed to UDEME.
Programme design & institutional growth
2019–2023
Natural resources, climate journalism, civic technology, media development, partnerships and cross-country programme leadership.
Executive leadership & technology governance
2023–present
Director of Programmes, Acting Executive Director and Executive Director, alongside growing work on AI governance and platform accountability.
Scholarship & teaching
University of Iowa, 2023–present
Doctoral research and university teaching.
03 — SELECTED FELLOWSHIPS & PROGRAMMES
05 — CONTACT
For professional correspondence, research collaboration, speaking and media enquiries.
Akintunde Babatunde
hello@akintundebabatunde.com
