Knowing the Veterans: The Grit, Grace, and Glory of Motunrayo Alaka

 By Blessing Iriaka

In the grand theatre of Nigerian journalism, few names shine as brightly and consistently as Motunrayo Alaka.

A woman of vision, conviction, and unmatched determination, she has carved a distinct path in the world of investigative journalism, leading not just with titles but with integrity and purpose. 

Her journey reminds us that success is not a sprint, it is a marathon paved with consistency, sacrifices, and dreams too loud to ignore.

The Spark from Secondary School

Motunrayo's story began long before press passes and global fellowships.

As a young student in secondary school, she found her first love, journalism. 

It was during her time in the school press club, mentored by a teacher who also worked with the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, that she learned the basics of news writing. 

That early exposure left an imprint on her heart. The press club wasn’t just an extracurricular activity, it was the compass that pointed her future.

A Detour That Built Her Strength

Though driven by passion, Motunrayo took a bold two-year detour from journalism into the corporate banking world.

Why? She wanted to feel what it meant to “wake up early and close late.”

But rather than derail her dreams, that decision sharpened her focus.

It helped her understand systems, structure, and the corporate energy, skills she would later channel into building one of the most impactful journalism institutions in Nigeria.

Destiny Meets Preparation

It was a friend, a best friend and former classmate, who recognized Motunrayo’s deep love for journalism and introduced her to the founder of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ). 

That introduction opened a door, and Motunrayo didn’t just walk through it, she transformed the space.

From being the first coordinator of WSCIJ in 2008, she worked tirelessly, laying the foundation, nurturing vision, and mentoring others. 

Despite stepping into a still-evolving structure, she began work pregnant with her third child, sitting on a mat because the building wasn’t yet set up, she embraced the chaos and committed herself to building something extraordinary.

Rising Through Consistency

In 2019, Motunrayo’s dedication was rewarded as she was appointed Executive Director and CEO of WSCIJ. 

That transition from coordinator to director, was not magic,  it was the reward of years of consistent service, integrity, and a fierce sense of mission.

Here’s a powerful lesson for young journalists and dreamers: 

Don’t just seek positions, build legacies.

Show up, stay the course, and excellence will speak louder than ambition.

Leading with Purpose

Under her leadership, the WSCIJ evolved from an award-initiating body to a capacity-building institution. 

She led the creation of the Nigeria Investigative Journalism Network in 2011 and facilitated training for over 1,050 journalists across 100 media organizations.

She’s been instrumental in the publication of over 210 investigative reports covering vital issues like health, governance, education, electricity, and women’s rights.

One of her most defining contributions is the Report Women Programme, including the production of the documentary “Report Women: Untold Stories of Girls and Women in Nigeria.” 

This initiative gave birth to the Female Reporters Leadership Programme, which has now run for a decade, changing narratives and empowering female journalists nationwide.

Imagine nursing an idea for five years, watching it grow into a nationally recognized program.

That’s not luck. That’s vision, patience, and graceful persistence.

Globally Recognized, Locally Rooted

Motunrayo’s work has earned her global fellowships. 

In 2018, she became a Stanford Draper Hills Fellow and a year later, a John S. Knight Journalism Fellow, one of only seven journalists selected worldwide, and the only Nigerian and one of two Africans.

Her name, now echoed in halls of excellence, is proof that Nigerian journalists can lead on global platforms without compromising values.

A Woman of Many Hats

Beyond journalism, Motunrayo is a communication strategist, gender advocate, writer, and pastor. 

She believes in fun, sacrifice without self-erasure, and storytelling with purpose. 

Her leadership is grounded in ethics, sustainability, and inclusivity, values that she believes are crucial for journalism to thrive in service of the people.

At the core of her journey is a heart that beats for social justice and accountability. 

She dreams of a world where everyone, regardless of gender or background, has a seat at the table. 

A world where journalism doesn’t just inform but transforms, where truth-telling is an act of nation-building.

Final Words to the Young and Daring

To the young journalist feeling overlooked...

To the girl in the press club dreaming of telling stories that matter…

To the one who’s sitting on a mat somewhere, building a dream from scratch…

Motunrayo Alaka’s story is for you.

Stay diligent. Stay consistent. Embrace the detours, they might just give you the wisdom you need. 

Passion is powerful, but passion with discipline is unstoppable. 

You may start small, but with heart, you’ll grow tall.

As Motunrayo herself would say: have fun, make sacrifices, but remember, you are not the sacrifice.

This week on “Knowing the Veterans,” we celebrate a woman who turned her passion into purpose, and her purpose into power.

 Thank you, Motunrayo Alaka, for showing us that integrity still wins, and that journalism, when done right, can heal nations.