Ore Ogunbiyi’s story is one of brilliance, determination, and a deep commitment to change. From an early age, her thirst for knowledge caught the attention of one of Nigeria’s most revered educationists, Margaret Iyabode Durand, who shaped young minds through her work at Corona School, Ikoyi, and Greenwood House. This foundation set Ore on a path to academic excellence at the prestigious Jesus College, Cambridge.
At Cambridge, Ogunbiyi didn’t just study — she made her mark as an activist. She became a leading voice in the Benin Bronze Repatriation campaign and the #BlackMenofCambridgeUniversity initiative. Her passion for equity and representation culminated in co-authoring the groundbreaking book, Taking Up Space: The Black Girl’s Manifesto for Change, published under Stormzy’s Merky Books imprint—an important moment in the conversation about race, gender, and opportunity.
Her journey of activism didn’t stop there. She pursued a Master’s in Journalism at Columbia, sharpening her voice and skills to tell powerful stories. She returned to Nigeria, serving as a speechwriter for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. This role offered a firsthand look at the complexities of governance and the limitations of activism within the system.
Now stepping into a new chapter as an Africa correspondent for The Economist, Ogunbiyi intends to wield her voice. Filmed in London just before she began this prestigious role, this episode is a must-watch for aspiring changemakers eager to learn from her journey of ambition and purpose.