By: William Olaleye
Investigative Reporter, Mr. Fisayo Soyombo, visited the University of Ibadan on Thursday 14th of August 2025 by invitation of the Head of Department of Communication and Language Arts, Dr. ‘Bisi Olawuyi.
He was invited to speak to CLA Post Graduate Students on “Developing the Knack for Investigative Journalism.”
Mr. Soyombo in his introduction told the audience that Investigative reporting must be in Public interest, and independent of Government reliance or control.
“If you decide to become a public interest journalist, there are problems you don’t need the government to solve. This country belongs to you and me, not just the Governor of Oyo State, nor the government of this country” he said.
He went on to relate his experiences on the investigative field, further revealing that he was in his twentieth year as a journalist.
The UI alumni warned that individuals with self-serving agendas would not make good journalists, talk less of an investigative reporter.
He was also clear with the fact that Investigative Journalism is a lonely road, sharing details from his life and experiences.
“An investigative reporter can’t live the everyday life. You’ll live a lonely life as an investigative reporter.” He stated.
He went on to outline various steps towards writing an investigative story, the benefits of investigative reporting, the techniques of the craft, and every other intricacies of the topic.
Mr. Soyombo also made reference to stories written by him and other well-known investigative reporters, the risks he undertook to get the results, as well as the eventual result of the story.
As he rounded off his session, the Founder, Foundation for Investigative Journalism, advised his listeners to put aside all conflicting thoughts and assume loyalty to the truth alone.
“Your loyalty as an investigative journalist is to the truth. Your opinion is not the truth. Your interests cannot be conflicted” he said.
The HOD, Dr. Bisi, expressed gratitude on behalf of the department, and further invited Professor B. A. Laninhun, the oldest longest-serving academic in the department to present Mr. Soyombo with his gift.
The Professor expressed her own excitement at seeing him alive and well, and offered prayers to God on his behalf for constant protection and preservation.
Recall that Fisayo Soyombo had appeared on the covers of the news papers when he wrote stories on the baby sale in the Arrows of God Orphanage, as well as the Oil bunkering saga, where he was detained in holding cell for days.
