Victor Walsh Oluwafemi is not your typical journalist. His work transcends traditional media, merging development consulting, storytelling, and policy education into a powerful vehicle for societal change.

His office is a moving stage, sometimes a radio booth, other times a rural health centre or a muddy road where he films barefoot entrepreneurs solving real-world problems.Rooted in development consulting, Victor began his professional journey advising public sector organisations, NGOs, and donor agencies. His early work focused on training design and evaluation across education, health, and youth development sectors.

These formative years granted him a systemic understanding of governance failures and community resilience. “It gave me a systems view of what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t,” he reflects.

Driven by a desire to fill the gaps he observed, Victor transitioned into development journalism. His mission: to amplify African voices and make policy accessible to everyday citizens. His analytical and people-centred writing has graced African and international platforms, covering corruption in extractive industries, governance and accountability, climate justice, rural livelihoods, trade, youth entrepreneurship, and tech innovation. “We need media that interrogates power but also celebrates innovation,” he says.

“That balance is vital for African development.”Expanding his reach, Victor ventured into documentary storytelling. His short films, including Leaders, Lies or Legacies, The Corporate Mavericks, and Beyond Gender Wars, have been praised for their sharp insights and compelling narratives. His work does not merely tell stories; it sparks conversations about leadership, gender equity, and innovation in African societies.Podcasting offered another avenue for citizen engagement. Through programs like Bala Blu Republic and The Policy Pod, Victor demystifies complex governance and policy issues for ordinary citizens. His approach builds vital access points for populations often excluded from elite discussions, blending satire, education, and activism.Victor’s influence extends into policymaking circles. He founded The Policy Pod, a platform that produces plain-language breakdowns of intricate policy frameworks. His policy briefs covering urban poverty, adaptive leadership, and youth-focused social policies inform ministries, civil society organisations, and international donor agencies.Recognising the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) accountability, Victor launched Souq Nexus, an ESG storytelling initiative. He helps corporations report real community impacts and push beyond performative sustainability narratives. “ESG shouldn’t be a PR tool,” he insists. “It should be about transparency, justice, and sustainability.”Victor’s contributions are not confined to the media alone. As an Executive Director and Senior Trainer at the Africa Development Studies Centre (ADSC), he develops and delivers capacity-building programs for senior government officials, NGO leaders, and private sector executives.

His training in strategic communication, systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptive leadership is reshaping how public policies are designed and implemented.Victor’s expertise has made him a sought-after consultant for numerous Nigeria’s National Assembly committees. His policy consultancy work spans education reform, health system strengthening, youth entrepreneurship, and climate adaptation strategies. His insights have influenced legislative reviews, policy drafts, and national development blueprints.His active role as a planning committee member and event contributor for international conferences further cements his leadership. From moderating panels at events like ICSBTIRM 2022 to shaping discussions at ICSPDEG 2021 and ICETTDM 2027, Victor has consistently bridged policy, academia, and community realities.Victor is also a media entrepreneur. He founded Isle 104.9 FM, Nigeria’s first business-focused development radio station, which broadcasts on good governance, entrepreneurship, civic education, public health, and environmental sustainability. “Capital must be conscientious,” he notes. We must fund what we believe in, responsible media, decent jobs, short films and movies, and local content.”Parallel to Isle FM, he launched Souq News TV, a digital platform covering African markets, innovation, and grassroots enterprises. Souq News TV fills a critical gap, providing sharp, locally anchored analysis of Africa’s economic and social development trends. “We created Souq News TV because there was a vacuum—mainstream media and global financial outlets were ignoring African SMEs, informal economies, and local innovators,” Victor explains.Beyond media ownership, Victor strategically invests in sectors that align with his development vision. He backs social enterprises, start-ups, and inclusive finance initiatives, advocating for responsible economic growth and equity in Nigeria.Victor’s philosophy is deeply pragmatic: storytelling must inspire and transform systems. His work exemplifies a shift from passive hope to active proof, creating platforms, building access, and ensuring that African voices are central to narratives about the continent’s future.”We don’t need more saviours,” he concludes. “We need more informed citizens and responsive systems. That’s what drives my work.”Through relentless innovation, an expansive media footprint, policy influence, and investment in social infrastructure, Victor Walsh Oluwafemi is redefining development communication for a new African century—one where citizens are informed, systems are responsive, and stories ignite tangible change.Orovwuje is a Lagos-based international development consultant and public affairs analyst who writes on policy, governance, migration, and inclusive development in Africa.