By: Princess Don.

Long before Toyin Akinniyi became one of Africa’s most influential voices in philanthropy, civic leadership and digital governance, she was simply a young woman who believed in the power of stories. Stories, she felt, could challenge broken systems, give voice to the unheard and ultimately change society.

“I never planned to be in development, as a student of English, I just wanted to tell stories and understand people, stories that matter, stories that change the status quo.” she said during interaction

Today, that early passion has evolved into a career that spans nearly two decades, cutting across journalism, media development, governance reform, philanthropy and emerging technologies. Yet, at its core, Toyin’s journey remains rooted in storytelling, now expressed through policy influence, civic innovation and the shaping of Africa’s digital future.

Early Life
Born on April 23, 1981, in Ikeja, Lagos, Toyin grew up in a family of six. Her early education began in Lagos at GT Nursery and Primary School in Surulere and Ajelogo Primary School in Ketu.

Life, however, took a defining turn in 1989 following the death of her father, prompting the family’s relocation to Ibadan. There, she completed her primary education at St. Matthias Primary School.

Her secondary school years at Abadina College, University of Ibadan, where she graduated in 1997, further sharpened her curiosity about society, justice and leadership. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in English in 2004 and a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies in 2008, both from the University of Ibadan.

But Toyin’s education would not end there. Over the years, she acquired specialised training in Artificial Intelligence at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford; Impact Investing at the University of Cape Town; Reversing the Resource Curse at Central European University; Communication for Development at the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication; and Journalism at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. Each credential added a new layer to her understanding of power, policy and people.

From the Classroom to the Frontlines of Change
Between 2006 and 2008, Toyin taught Literature as a part-time lecturer at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, nurturing young minds while quietly exploring her own path. Her early professional years also included stints at the Information Aid Network (IFANet), where she worked on projects spanning health, gender, ICT-for-development and market development, and at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where she researched the intersection of conflict, corruption and development.

These experiences planted the seeds for what would become a defining chapter of her career: investigative journalism and media development.

In 2009, Toyin joined the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), where she helped shape Nigeria’s investigative reporting ecosystem.

She managed flagship initiatives such as the annual Award for Investigative Journalism, the media lecture series, the House-to-House project for investigative desks in newsrooms, and designed the influential Report Women project.

“That experience opened my eyes to the power journalism holds, investigative reporting isn’t just about exposing wrongdoing. It’s about strengthening society, protecting citizens, and giving voice to those affected by decisions far beyond their control.” she recalls.

Her work soon attracted global attention. From WSCIJ, Toyin moved to the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), where her influence expanded beyond Nigeria. At NRGI, she designed and managed a prestigious fellowship for mid- to senior-level journalists focused on oil sector governance, contributed to the seminal book Covering Extractives, and developed monitoring and learning frameworks for global media development programmes.

Over more than a decade, she worked across Africa, supporting journalists to investigate corruption in extractive industries and strengthening collaboration between governments, civil society and the media.

“Through this work, I realised the challenges we were reporting on were systemic political, economic and global, she says. They were bigger than any single newsroom.” she said

That realisation marked a pivotal shift. Leaving media development did not mean abandoning journalism. Instead, Toyin carried her investigative instincts into philanthropy and civic leadership, where she began influencing systems at scale.

Her leadership journey has included major collaborative initiatives such as the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, Africa No Filter, the Joint Civic Defence Fund, the Nigeria AI Collective, and the West Africa Democracy Fund. These initiatives tackle youth civic innovation, narrative change, democratic resilience, and the protection of civic space in increasingly digital societies.

“Development is about systems, but it’s also about people. And people need to be seen, heard and supported.” she reflects

Today, as Regional Director for Africa at Luminate, Toyin leads philanthropic investments at the crossroads of technology, socio-economic justice and democratic participation.

Her work focuses on digital governance, healthy information ecosystems, and ensuring that young people, women and marginalised communities can participate meaningfully and safely in shaping their futures.

One of her landmark achievements has been leading the creation of Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence Collective, bringing together technologists, researchers, innovators and governance experts across the continent and diaspora to shape ethical AI development.

She also championed philanthropic investment in Makemation, Africa’s first feature film on Artificial Intelligence, using storytelling to spark public dialogue on ethics, inclusion and innovation.

“I think a lot about the future,” she says. “How do we build a digital future that protects rather than exploits Africans?”

Despite her leadership roles, Toyin remains, at heart, a journalist, as she constantly questioning power and centring human dignity.

Her writing has appeared in African Arguments, The Guardian, Alliance Magazine, The East African, Premium Times, and in notable collections such as African Muckraking and Remaking Nigeria: Sixty Years, Sixty Voices.

She is also a Stanford Draper Hills (now Fisher Family) Fellow, a governance expert, a published author and a sought-after global speaker.

Away from policy rooms and conferences, Toyin finds joy in coffee, long walks, music and travel. Deeply family-oriented, she treasures time with her nuclear family and extended relatives, as she is married and blessed with two male children

Mentorship, however, remains her deepest commitment. “I’ve benefitted from people who believed in me before I believed in myself,” she says.

She is now building a women-in-leadership circle to foster peer mentorship and intergenerational learning.

As Africa grapples with digital authoritarianism, information disorder and civic uncertainty, Toyin Akinniyi stands at a critical intersection, where journalism, philanthropy, governance and technology converge.

“I am still that student of English Literature, still curious, still hopeful, still asking how we can build a world where everyone has the chance to thrive.” she says

In a world in flux, Toyin’s journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is not defined by titles alone, but by courage, conviction, and the stories we choose to tell about our collective future.