Salihu Ayatullahi
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Salihu Ayatullahi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | December 24 Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | University of Ilorin |
| Occupation | Investigative journalist |
| Years active | 2017-present |
Salihu Ayatullahi, born in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, is a Nigerian investigative journalist currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Informant247. He was part of the founding team of the news organization.[1][2][3]
With a strong focus on investigative reporting and a commitment to journalistic integrity, Ayatullahi has led the North-Central based online newspaper in delivering critical coverage on government policies, corruption and human rights abuses in Nigeria.[1]
Background and Career
[edit]He completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. He later proceeded to the University of Ilorin for his tertiary education.[1][2]
He has worked in various newsrooms as both a reporter and an editor before assuming the role of Editor-in-Chief at The Informant247.[3][1]
At The Informant247, he has overseen the production of several investigative reports as head of the editorial board, many of which have had significant impacts. He also supervises FactCheck247, an independent fact-checking organization.[4]
In 2023, Ayatullahi represented his news organization when it was selected for the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) Elevate program, a transformative global initiative aimed at empowering 18 C-level journalists from across the world.[5]
During the program, he earned a business certificate from Babson College in Massachusetts, United States.[6]
Critical Reporting
[edit]In 2023, the Nigerian journalist published an exposé uncovering an illegal border route in the Baruteen Local Government Area of Kwara State, where smugglers collaborated with security operatives to smuggle contraband into Nigeria from Benin Republic.[7]
Later that year, he uncovered a site where lithium is illegal mined in Nigeria, with no oversight. His investigation traced and identified how a powerful Chinese-owned company that had been evading taxes and underreporting its activities is behind the operation. This report was cross-published by six different media outlets.[8][9]
Following its publication, authorities and security agencies intervened and conducted a raid on the Kankafu village, where the illegal mining was taking place.[10]
Arrest
[edit]In the wake of several investigative reports exposing corruption at the state-owned Kwara State Polytechnic, he, along with one of his reporters, was arrested by the Nigerian Police. They were later released following pressure from various international and local organizations such as CPJ, IPI, SERAP among several others.[11][3][12][13][14][15][16]
The case was eventually brought before a court. The prosecutor however ,failed to present evidence to support the defamation case, and the charges were dismissed.[17][18]
Meanwhile, several individuals at the institution were subsequently either demoted or dismissed as a result of the findings.[19][20]
Membership
[edit]In 2023, he joined the France-based Forbidden Story’s SafeBox Network, a platform where some of the world’s most threatened journalists are securing their sensitive information.[21]
He is also a member of the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners, a body for journalists based in Nigeria’s North Central Kwara State.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Informant247, The (2023-07-14). "Salihu Ayatullahi, Editor-in-Chief, The Informant247". The Informant247. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Muck Rack | For journalists and public relations". muckrack.com. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ a b c d "4 Nigerian journalists charged with cybercrime, defamation over fraud investigation". Committee to Protect Journalists. 2024-02-09. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Sodeeq, Yemi (2024-12-31). "Impacts of investigations published by The Informant247 in 2024". The Informant247. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ USMAN, Mustapha (2023-05-05). "ICFJ selects two Nigerian media outlets for new cohort". The ICIR- Latest News, Politics, Governance, Elections, Investigation, Factcheck, Covid-19. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "ICFJ's News Business Hub Announces New Cohort". International Center for Journalists. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Wiki Times (June 29, 2023). "INVESTIGATION: How Corrupt Security Officials Help Smugglers to Import Rice from Benin Republic into Nigeria through Illegal Kwara Border Route". Wikki Times.
- ^ "INVESTIGATION | Lithium hunters: Bribery, abuses, deaths – the dark side of Nigeria's illegal mining | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Archived from the original on 2024-05-28. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Ayatullahi, Salihu (2023-09-04). "INVESTIGATION | Lithium hunters: Bribery, abuses, deaths - the dark side of Nigeria's illegal mining". The Informant247. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Informant247, The (2023-09-29). "After Informant247 report, Kwara govt, NSCDC boss storm Kakanfu, move to stop illegal mining". The Informant247. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Police in Kwara State detain journalist on orders of polytechnic Rector". Media Foundation For West Africa. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Kabir, Adejumo (2024-12-28). "Round-Up: Nigerian Journalists Faced Increased Intimidation, Attacks in 2024". HumAngle. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ IPI-Admin (2024-02-19). "Nigeria: Journalists targeted again under cybercrime law". ipi.media. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "Coalition Condemns Arbitrary Detention of Journalists in Kwara State". CJID. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Ayeni, Victor (2024-11-02). "Concerns mount as crimes against Nigerian journalists worsen". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Chibundu, Janefrances (2024-02-13). "'Drop charges against them' -- coalition condemns arrest of journalists in Kwara". TheCable. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "2 Kwara journalists arraigned over report granted bail - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com/. 2024-02-09. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Taoheed, Mohammed (2025-01-13). "Court dismisses defamation case against two journalists in Kwara". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Omotayo, Toheeb (2025-01-16). "Kwara Poly dismisses senior lecturer for extorting students after Informant247 report". The Informant247. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ Omotayo, Toheeb (2024-11-06). "After Informant247 report, Kwara poly top official who diverted students' funds removed from office". The Informant247. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
- ^ "SafeBox Directory". Forbidden Stories. Retrieved 2025-01-22.