IWD: Celebrating women who power TheCable

There are moments in history when a single act of courage shifts the course of events — often unnoticed at first, like a ripple on the surface of a quiet lake.

At TheCable, these moments are in history and so are they in the present. They happen in newsrooms, on the field, behind desks, on podcasts, and in the silent yet powerful decisions made every day by the women who define this media powerhouse.

For International Women’s Day 2025, themed “Accelerate Action”, TheCable is spotlighting the bold stories of some of the incredible women who make up its newsroom, administration, and leadership. These are women whose bold choices and relentless drive have shaped the media landscape, changed lives, and rewritten the rules of engagement. Today, we celebrate their courage, fire and impact in the lives of fellow women.

ABIOLA MOHAMMED 

Human resource professionals are often seen as the enforcers of corporate policies, but for Abiola Mohammed, deputy manager of human resources and administration at TheCable, the job is about something deeper.

“One bold decision that stands out in my journey is choosing to be the kind of HR professional who truly puts people first. There’s a common perception that HR is just about policies and paperwork, often detached from the real needs of employees. But for me, it has always been about the humans in Human Resources,” she said.

“I like to think I earned my position through silent activism—advocating for my colleagues in ways that may not always be visible but make a real difference. Whether it’s ensuring fairness, creating a supportive workplace, or simply going the extra mile to check in on someone, I take pride in being the HR that actually cares.”

Whether ensuring fairness, creating a supportive workplace, or simply checking in on employees, Abiola believes that “empowerment isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s about standing up for others when no one is watching.”

Thank you and well done, Madam HR.

JEMILAT NASIRU

For decades, the unspoken rule in many newsrooms was clear — men covered elections, women stayed behind. It wasn’t an official policy, just an unwritten norm built on the assumption that the field was too dangerous for female journalists. But in 2018, a young reporter at TheCable, Jemilat Nasiru, decided it was time to change that.

“As a young reporter, I advocated for the inclusion of female journalists in election monitoring and coverage,” Jemilat said.

“It was framed as a protective measure, keeping women safe from the dangers of field reporting. But I knew that without that experience, women would always be excluded from high-stakes political reporting.”

Her advocacy worked. TheCable changed its stance, opening doors for women in election coverage. And today, the head of TheCable’s election coverage team is a woman.

“Now, women take charge when it’s time to cover elections,” Jemilat added. “Their safety is still a priority, but instead of excluding them, they are trained and equipped to do the job with the least risk exposure.”

In an ironic twist, Jemilat, the very person who fought for this inclusion, has never been deployed herself due to a personal health challenge. But that hasn’t stopped her from championing the cause. Today, she is a multimedia journalist, podcast host, and head of TheCable’s broadcasting arm, ensuring that the stories that matter reach wider audiences.

Her impact is already visible in the newsroom. The young women who now lead the election coverage owe part of their journey to a battle fought seven years ago by a journalist who believed inclusion wasn’t just a privilege but a necessity.

We thank you, Jemilat.

TAIWO OSHUNLOYE 

Come hell or high water, Oshunloye, a young journalist at TheCable Lifestyle, the fun subsidiary of TheCable, will never leave a woman to suffer in silence.

Back in university, Taiwo had a close friend in an abusive relationship.

“I tried everything I could to make her see that she deserved better,” she said. “But she had unresolved childhood trauma that made her feel like she was lucky to have him.”

Then one night, her friend called.

“She called me around 10 p.m. and said, ‘Please come and take me away before he kills me’”Taiwo added.

Taiwo did not hesitate.

“I immediately swung into action. I went there with two male friends to rescue her. The guy resisted and didn’t want her to leave. I wasn’t strong enough to fight, but I was smart enough to go with backup.”

The fight wasn’t just physical; it was emotional, financial, and deeply personal.

“I took her straight to the hospital, paid her bills, and ensured she was fine before taking her to my house. When she got better, I contacted a therapist friend in the UK to help her. I spoke to another of our friends, and we put money together to get her a new apartment. It was a long, draining process, but I was determined to make sure she didn’t go back.”

Today, that friend is thriving.

“That’s one of my proudest moments,” Taiwo noted. “She’s free, and she’s happy. That’s what matters.”

Taiwo carries that same spirit into her work, and we are incredibly proud of her.

MUHIBAT SULAIMON

For Sulaimon, another young TheCable lifestyle reporter, empowerment begins at home. As the firstborn of four daughters, she knows sacrifice like second nature, ensuring her sisters never feel alone.

“When I think of a moment where I empowered, inspired, or uplifted another woman, the first thing that comes to mind is how I have consistently stood up for my three younger sisters,” she said.

“Being the first child is no easy task, but with all my siblings being female, I felt an even greater responsibility to be their protector, role model, and support system.”

She recalls an early childhood memory.

“One of my earliest memories of this was in primary school when my immediate younger sister and I were given just N10 to share. An amount that wasn’t enough for a person. However, to make sure she had enough, I would sell my lunch so I could give her extra money. It was a small sacrifice, but even as a child, I knew I wanted to provide for my siblings in any way I could. As I grow, I remain determined to ensure they do not go through the hardships I faced.”

Decades later, she hasn’t changed. Recently, she took a bold step out of her comfort zone for her younger sister.

“Naturally, I am a reserved and private person who prefers to stay quiet on social media, never posting or commenting on posts, just likes. But when I came across a giveaway for a culinary course, I knew it would be valuable for my immediate younger sister. Without any hesitation, I stepped out of my usual act and commented on the post so she could have the opportunity to benefit, still hoping and praying she does,” she added.

“Throughout my life, I have mostly put myself last, though I’m learning to care for myself too, just to ensure my sisters grow up with the right values and don’t fall into negative societal pressures. I want them to be independent, confident, and empowered women and seeing them gradually grow into that makes me incredibly proud.”

Muhibat believes in leading by example, and her sisters are growing into confident, independent women, just as she hoped.

We appreciate you and are rooting for you, Muhibat.

MONSUROH ABDULSEMIU

The world can be cruel, and so Abdulsemiu has made it her mission to spread kindness, one compliment at a time.

“The world carries so much negativity, and people are constantly tearing others down. So, I’ve made it my life’s mission to compliment women whenever and wherever I can. I remind them that their smile is beautiful, their hair is gorgeous, their dentition is immaculate, because it’s true and sometimes, people just need to hear something kind,” she said.

“I never truly realised the weight of this until one evening in September 2024 at Ikeja City Mall. I saw a woman with the most stunning dimples and told her so. ‘You’re such a pretty woman,’ I added, meaning every word.

“She hesitated for a moment, then asked if she could hug me. Before I could process what was happening, she burst into tears and held onto me tightly.

“I just stood there, hugged her back, and rubbed her back gently, not knowing yet why she was crying. Then she told me she was in an abusive relationship. Her boyfriend called her ugly every chance he got, and she had started to believe it. That morning, he had called her ugly again, and my words “a stranger’s words” were what she needed to break free from that mental space.

“She promised to leave the relationship. She wouldn’t share her number for reasons best known to her, but I hope she did. I left her better than I met her, and I carry that brief moment of shared humanity with me, a reminder that the smallest kindness can mean everything to someone else.”

Monsuroh, a development journalist at TheCable, understands the power of words and she believes in storytelling that drives change.

We see you Monsuroh, we are proud of you.

VICTORIA AKINROGUNDE 

Akinrogunde, an administrative officer at TheCable, empowerment means being a source of committed support.

“A friend of mine recently told me about her decision to divorce her husband after only a year of marriage,” Victoria shared.

“She was worried about judgement, about whether she was making the right choice. But I listened without judgment and told her I was proud and happy for her. I encouraged her in her bravery.”

Now, that friend is thriving, finally pursuing her dream of becoming a stage actress while also focusing on helping domestic violence victims through her law career.

“I’ve always told her she could do both! It’s amazing to see it happen,” she said.

Victoria knows that sometimes, uplifting another woman isn’t about giving advice, it’s about believing in them until they believe in themselves.

CLAIRE MOM 

Mom covers foreign affairs for TheCable. She also works as a language reporter, debunking disinformation for the fact-check desk and translating them into a local language.

In 2023, she made history as the first Nigerian female reporter to clinch the runner-up position for the Africa Check awards.

For Claire, the first woman who profoundly impacted her life was her mother.

“She taught me how to read using the Igbo alphabets,” Claire said  

“I remember that evening clearly, how she emphasised the vowel and consonant sounds each letter was associated with. At first, I wondered how it would help, but when I went to school the next day and practiced what she taught me, merging sounds to come up with words the teacher wrote on the board, I felt like a magician.

“I was the only person who made an attempt, a correct attempt. The teacher was stunned, but I was more surprised. I thought my mother was a superhero.”

That moment, frozen in time, remains Claire’s most precious childhood memory.

“That is what women do. They make the impossible possible because of how innovative they are,” she added  

Today, Claire’s storytelling and investigative skills, rooted in the literacy foundation her mother gave her, is shaping TheCable newsroom.

Cheers to Claire and her mom. 

Beyond these personal stories, several TheCable women are making waves in their fields, advocating for truth, justice, and social change.

EBUNOLUWA OLAFUSI 

Olafusi is the head of CableCheck, TheCable’s fact-checking platform dedicated to countering fake news with verified facts and in-depth analysis.

Covering a wide range of topics, from politics to crime, health, gender issues, labour, and social development, she has built a reputation as a meticulous journalist. She is certified by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), Code for Africa, and TheCable Newspaper Journalism Foundation (CNJF).

Ebunoluwa is also a fellow of the African Academy for Open Source Investigation (AAOSI), further cementing her role as a leading figure in investigative and fact-checking journalism in Nigeria.

PRECIOUS OGBUENYI

A trained lawyer and multimedia journalist, Ogbuenyi brings a legal perspective to reporting, ensuring a balanced and well-informed approach to news coverage. Based in Abuja, she covers critical issues affecting governance, justice, and human rights.

RAHMA JIMOH

Jimoh is a journalist, poet, and storyteller whose work focuses on health, the environment, and technology, particularly issues affecting women and children.

Her investigative pieces have appeared in The Guardian UK, Al Jazeera, Rest of World, The Continent, and HumAngle.

ZAINAB KUKOYI

A data analyst intern at TheCable, Zainab Kukoyi is passionate about turning raw data into meaningful insights.

With a B.Tech in Statistics from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and certifications in data science from Explore AI and data analysis from Udacity. She is dedicated to making data-driven journalism accessible.

Beyond journalism, she runs Toza Cakes, a baking brand that blends creativity with excellence. She is also a mentor to teenagers in her church community, guiding them toward ambitious yet morally sound aspirations.

RAHMOTULLAH LAWAL

Rahmotullah started her journey as a gender advocate after witnessing the systemic inequalities faced by women and girls in Nigeria.

While studying food science at the University of Ilorin, she took an active role in student governance and was elected deputy senate president of the students’ union, leading over 45,000 students.

She collaborated with student leaders to organise workshops, rallies, and awareness campaigns to promote gender equality.

In 2020, Rahmotullah took her advocacy to the national level, lobbying for policy changes in the Nigerian senate to protect women’s rights. She also led an International Women’s Day event, ‘Breaking the Bias: Beyond the Numbers’, pushing for special seats for women in the national assembly.

At TheCable, she continues to advocate for gender justice through journalism.

THE WOMEN OF THECABLE: LEADING, PIONEERING, INSPIRING

We also celebrate Funmilayo Jimoh, Remi Sulola, Abiose Adams, Bolanle Olabimtan, Jesupemi Are, Bunmi Aduloju, Esther Iregwega, Rachael Oriloye, Olubusola Aro, Victory Orimemi, Deborah Bodunde, Bisola Omotayo, Goodness Chibunma, Aderonke Oni, Lateefah Mayaki, Timilehin Ibrahim, and Janefrances Chibundu.

These are some of the women who have shaped TheCable into what it is today. Their stories echo a truth that cannot be ignored. Women hold the line. They fight, they uplift, they challenge the status quo, and sometimes, they save lives in ways the world may never fully see.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate their courage, their choices, and their belief in the power of women to change the world.

And to the women who laid the foundation and redefined professionalism at TheCable: Abiose Adelaja, Rita Okonoboh, Seyi Awojulugbe, Anu Adelakun, Ada Igbanugbo, Ezinne Chima, Ijeoma Onyemachi, Toyin Bayagbon, Wasilat Azeez, Mary Ugbodaga, and Vivian Chime. This tribute is for you.

Happy #IWD2025.