CULLED FROM NEWSHEREANDTHERE MAGAZINE
Women in High Places
Adewumi Ademiju
Dr. Abimbola “Bimbo” Oyetunde is a Trailblazer at the Helm of the Nigeria Union of Journalist NUJ.
Being the First Female to occupy the position of Deputy National President of the NUJ. Her emergence has Redefined Leadership in Nigerian Media.
In November 2024, she was elected the first female Deputy National President in the union’s 69-year history. The milestone marks a decisive shift in gender representation at the highest level of Nigeria’s largest media professional body.
From Bronze FM to National Leadership
A seasoned broadcaster and unionist, Dr. Oyetunde has spent decades building credibility behind the microphone and in the newsroom. She served for nearly a decade as General Manager of Radio Nigeria Bronze FM, Benin City, Edo State, where she earned respect for editorial discipline and mentorship.
In August 2025, her career reached another peak with her appointment as Bureau Chief, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN Network News Directorate, Headquarters Annex, Ikoyi, Lagos. She doubles as Deputy Director of News, overseeing national news output for one of Africa’s largest broadcast networks.
With a doctorate degree to her name, Dr. Oyetunde blends academic depth with practical journalism. Colleagues describe her leadership as “a testament to trailblazing spirit and professional integrity”- a reputation earned through consistency, not noise.
Breaking Barriers, Building People
Her election at the 8th Triennial National Delegates Conference in Owerri, Imo State, was widely celebrated by media professionals, state councils, and civil society groups. For many, it signaled that competence and character, not gender, now define leadership in the NUJ.
Beyond titles, Dr. Oyetunde is known for advocacy. As a prominent figure in the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, she has championed the rights, safety, and professional development of women in media. She regularly mentors young reporters and pushes for newsrooms where women thrive free from bias and fear.
On an occasion of the International Women’s Day. Oyetunde wrote to Women Journalist:
“Your relentless dedication to press freedom, gender equity, and professionalism deserves to be celebrated. Let us recommit to empowering women in all sectors and fostering environments where women journalists can thrive”
Her commitment extends beyond speeches. Recently, the NUJ in collaboration with the ICPC trained about 60 journalists in Abuja on corruption prevention and investigative reporting , the second in a series that began in 2023. Dr. Oyetunde was central to the initiative, reinforcing the union’s role in accountability journalism.
Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, the Advanced Management Academy, Abuja, honored her with an Award of Excellence in Broadcast Journalism and Leadership Service.
The Bigger Picture
Dr. Abimbola Oyetunde’s rise is more than a personal achievement. It is a signal to every girl in a newsroom, every female reporter on the field, and every young woman eyeing leadership: the ceiling can be broken, and the table can be expanded.
As Deputy National President, she now champions the interests of journalists nationwide, drives professional development, and strengthens union accountability. Her story proves that humble beginnings, steady work, and bold belief can turn “first female” into “first of many.”
From Humble Beginnings to National Leadership_
She was once “just another girl with big dreams and a small voice.” Today, Abimbola Oyetunde stands as history-maker and proof that persistence rewrites destiny. As the first female National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, her emergence is more than a title. It is a mirror for every girl child learning to trust her own reflection.
Abimbola’s story did not start under chandeliers. It started where many Nigerian girls start: in humble beginnings, where dreams were big but resources were few. In that space, she learned early lessons that would carry her to the top.Journalism found her, and she met it with discipline, integrity, and a refusal to be limited by gender.
Breaking the Ceiling, Then Building a Table
The newsroom has long been called a man’s terrain. Leadership at the national level, even more so. Abimbola changed that narrative not by shouting, but by showing up. She reported from the field, edited under pressure, mentored younger colleagues, and stayed consistent when it was easier to step back.
On the day she made history, her message was clear:
“This is not just about Abimbola. This is about every girl who has been told ‘no’ because of her gender. If I can stand here today, then no dream is too big for any girl child in Nigeria.”
Her presidency does not just shatter glass. It builds a bigger table and pulls more chairs in for women in media.
Abimbola Oyetunde’s rise proves one truth: transformation is possible. The girl child of yesterday can become the national leader of today. And when one woman rises, she creates space for a generation to rise with her.
God bless the magnificent lady who blends outer beauty with inner strength, wisdom and grace . Blessed be the day she was born.