Our Team
At AMDF, we are powered by a passionate and diverse team of professionals committed to journalism, human rights, civic engagement, and social development. Our collective expertise spans media practice, research, program design, strategic partnerships, and advocacy — all working in synergy to advance AMDF’s mission across Africa.
🔹 Leadership Highlights
- Sekyen Dadik – Executive Director
Provides overall strategic leadership, drives organizational growth, and leads high-level partnerships. - Benjamin Maigari – Senior Programs Manager
Oversees program design and implementation, with a focus on capacity building and coordination at field level. - Zhiroh Jatau – Press Freedom Manager
Leads AMDF’s press freedom initiatives, championing journalist safety and monitoring violations. - Hannatu Mato – Senior Program Officer, Communication & Partnerships
Manages digital strategy, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and outreach. - Gimbiya Sambo – Senior Program Officer, Finance & Administration
Ensures financial integrity, administrative efficiency, and compliance with donor guidelines. - Norice Emmanuel – Program Officer, Opportunities & Engagement
Curates and shares local and international opportunities for journalists — including trainings, fellowships, grants, workshops, and conferences. - Iliya Kure – Founder
Established AMDF in 2014 with a vision to promote ethical, development-focused journalism and to defend press freedom across Africa. - [Vacant] – Media Development Coordinator
Responsible for newsroom mentorship, journalist training, and professional development programs.
Country Representatives
- Mohamed Nur Franca – AMDF Representative, Somalia
- Joel Honore Kouam – AMDF Representative, Senegal
AMDF’s team reflects the diversity, resilience, and innovation at the heart of African journalism.
Our Partners
AMDF collaborates with a wide range of partners who share our commitment to building a free, empowered, and development-driven media ecosystem in Africa. These partnerships expand our reach, amplify our impact, and drive collective action for social change.
Key Partnerships Have Included:
- Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna Council
A formal partnership (MoU signed in 2022) supporting leadership training for union members. - Development Communications Network (DevComs), Lagos
Joint media advocacy on public health, education, governance, and social accountability. - Public Health Institute, Johns Hopkins University / Rise Up
- Policy development to support girls’ education (2018–2019)
- Implementation of the VAPP Law to address sexual and gender-based violence in Kaduna (2021–2022)
- Sightsavers International, Nigeria Country Office
Partnership to enhance disability-inclusive media reporting and awareness. - Kaduna State Government & Gombe State Government
Collaborations on journalist training, media reform advocacy, and development communication. - Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA)
Partnered on training journalists in effective coverage of zoonotic diseases and public health. - Agricprojects International
Supported media training focused on food security, agriculture reporting, and rural development. - Academic & Civil Society Partners
Active collaboration with universities, media rights organizations, and donor institutions — especially through flagship events like the Africa Conference on Development Journalism (ACDJ) and the African Journalists Network (AJN).
Let’s Work Together
We are always looking to build meaningful, values-aligned partnerships that promote ethical journalism, strengthen media institutions, and advance development across Africa.
Interested in partnering with AMDF?
Email us at: coordinator@amdf-centre.org