Ayo Mairo-Ese.
BA, International Relations. Class of 2009
Ayo Mairo-Ese: A Passionate Voice for Truth and Change
Ayo Mairo-Ese: A Passionate Voice for Truth and Change
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a news anchor on Arise TV and co-chair in the morning show?
First, there is the opportunity to work with a great team. This is very important to me because I spend quite a significant portion of my time at work. It's important to be able to work with a team that's driven. I'm able to not just work alongside them, I learn a lot from them and learn on the job as well and being challenged. They're intelligent, so they keep me on my toes. It's an encouragement to do better every day and put my best foot forward. I also enjoy the fact that I have the platform to educate and inform people. I think this is such a great privilege to be able to amplify the voices of the masses, especially the most vulnerable, or people who wouldn't otherwise have had the opportunity to have their voices heard. This is why I engage quite a bit on social media with people that I haven't met before – To listen to their needs and concerns, to try to understand how they’re feeling, what they think, what they'd like to speak to authority about, and then, finally, the opportunity to hold government accountable in Nigeria, and be able to, in some measure, contribute positively to a strong democracy in Nigeria. These are some of the things that I'm very grateful for.
Q: What role does the media play in creating discourse and then influence in society and culture?
I believe that media plays a pivotal role in shaping discourse and influencing society and culture, particularly in Nigeria where it is constitutionally recognized as the fourth estate of the realm. It's a very powerful tool for change. A measure of this is the massive response from the audience that we broadcast to daily. There’s a real interest in what is happening in society. For an emerging democracy like Nigeria, the people see it as an opportunity to have someone perceived to be on their side, having a voice and a seat at the table. Media has changed policies in the past. We've seen the media effect actual change. Also, media serves as a platform for highlighting key issues, bringing it to the fore. We can keep attention on topics until changes are made. I think one of the biggest roles that media plays in society and culture is being able to positively shape and influence culture and policies through our reporting.
"I believe that media plays a pivotal role in shaping discourse and influencing society
and culture... It's a very powerful tool for change"
Q: Can you expand on that a little bit your use of social media. How does that influence your programming and content?
Social media and traditional media complement each other. Social media is one of the most effective ways through which we're able to really connect with people and hear people. For instance, on X, I could put out a question regarding a pertinent issue to get peoples’ opinions. Currently, Nigeria (as with many parts of the world) is faced with a cost-of-living crisis. I could ask questions such as – “What's the cost of a loaf of bread in your area?” Or “Have you been able to go to school today?” I am then able to use responses received during discussion sessions on TV. I must point out here that while anecdotal evidence is informative, it's crucial to supplement it with empirical data for accuracy and credibility. However, it gives first instance information that can then be the catalyst to further research an issue. Furthermore, we also receive eyewitness reports / videos of what's happening on the ground in other states across the country via our social media pages. Some people who would rather not put the information on their timeline would come to my DM (private message) to provide me with footage.
Q: You've interviewed quite a lot of intellectual figures. When providing them with a platform to be heard, do you feel a responsibility to help provide balance in the interview?
Yes, I do. In fact, I feel a huge responsibility. Prior to conducting an interview with any influential figure - any person at all to be fair - I do extensive research. The onus is on me to do in-depth research to be able to fact check claims or statements made by influential figures. We’ve interviewed influential figures such as Governors of State, or political appointees, some of whom make some claims that aren’t factual or accurate. Based on our own research, we can challenge their claims. I believe we have a responsibility to promote truth to those we serve. People trust us because they believe that we tell them the truth. So, yes, I think it's a huge responsibility on my part, and I try as much as possible to ensure we are adequately prepared to fact check.
Q: You're very passionate about inspiring women. Are you starting to see a change in society about how women are viewed?
Well, not to the extent that I would like, if I am honest, it's work in progress. In my role as an Anchor on The Morning Show, I feel a responsibility to speak up for women even when it's not very popular. For instance, the current President of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu made a commitment during his presidential campaign to have at least 35% inclusion of women in his government. At every point I'm checking progress made with his promise and where necessary, speaking out where it isn’t fulfilled. We live in a patriarchal society. Change is hard and I sometimes wonder if I am making a significant contribution to cultural change but then I remember it's part of the reason why I'm here. Part of the reason why I have this platform is to give back and influence positive change. I had talked about amplifying the voices of the vulnerable and the need to ensure that women are well represented across the board. We are not quite there yet. We still need to do more to protect women, we still have some laws that discriminate against women, women are still disproportionately affected by economic shocks. In fairness, we have made some progress from where we started, but there is much more that needs to be improved.
Q: Could you tell us more about the initiatives you participated in to empower women?
In both my professional and personal life, I am very active in a lot of initiatives and activities that support women. Last year, I co-founded a social enterprise called SpeakHer to equip women with effective communication and public speaking skills. We recognised that a lot of women who had great ideas weren’t able to articulate those ideas effectively to bring about desired change. SpeakHer provides training and support to enhance their ability to communicate and influence others. Our inaugural conference last year received overwhelming support and positive feedback, underscoring the importance of communication skills in today's world.
Additionally, I am a passionate advocate against rape and have served as an ambassador for initiatives combating sexual violence in Nigeria. I've also worked with the SheVentures program. It was an initiative by a private institution to promote women in business. I was able to come on board to help with soft skills. Beyond these formal initiatives, I am actively engaged in mentoring women both privately and through established programs. My commitment to supporting women extends to speaking engagements where I share insights and experiences to inspire and empower others.
Finally, I am a co-founder of a faith-based women’s group focused on addressing social issues such as domestic violence, marital challenges, and providing welfare support. With over 800 members, the Praying Women’s Circle (PWC) offers a supportive community where women can find solace, guidance, and spiritual nourishment.
My faith plays a significant role in shaping my values and guiding my efforts to uplift and empower women in various aspects of their lives.
Q: Did your time in Swansea with exposure to UK culture influence how you approach your role as a TV news anchor?
In Nigeria, there's a cultural reverence for authority figures, which often discourages questioning or holding leaders to account. However, in the UK, I was exposed to a culture of accountability, where leaders were expected to justify their actions and decisions to the public.
I was an active member of the NUS (National Union of Students), elected as Black Students’ Officer. In this role, I actively participated in conferences and sessions where leaders, including NUS Presidents were subjected to rigorous questioning and accountability measures. This experience highlighted the importance of transparency and responsiveness in governance, which was not as prevalent in Nigeria at the time.
One of my favourite television programs to watch at that time was Prime Minister's questions. I thought “Gosh, this is fascinating. It's exciting it. It makes democracy interesting “. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case in Nigeria, but step by step, we hope to achieve a democracy where leaders are fully accountable to the people they serve.
Q: How do you hope to contribute to creating positive change in the world through your work?
Well, for me it would be consistently speaking the truth. Amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable in society. I feel that some of the most powerful impacts you can make is just being able to influence the person next to you which then creates a ripple effect. So, if you help give someone a voice, or you help to find someone's voice, then they can do the same, to pass it forward. It's also important because the world has become a global village, especially with the advent of social media. Being able to say things and speak up inspires others. I have a lot of young girls and now young men who send me messages telling of how I've inspired them. That for me is enriching. When someone decides that they have a voice or decides to speak up or do something because they see me doing it, it is a blessing.
The other, of course, is good governance. We talk a lot about bad governance and bad leadership on the African continent - not just in Nigeria – to be fair, there's bad leadership everywhere in the world, but we talk about it, we put it out in the open, we criticise it and discuss ways to change it. Being able to contribute to the development of Nigeria is a big deal. I'm very passionate about Nigeria. I love my country. I love Nigeria, and I really would love to see Nigeria grow and achieve its full potential. We have so much potential. I think we can be such a great nation. So, the ability to be able to influence that discussion is a big responsibility. And if Nigeria can play its role, then the ripple effect across Africa and the World would be great.
Q: Tell us a bit about your time at Swansea
I love to talk about Swansea University. I say this because anyone who knows me knows that I talk about Swansea University a lot! I do this because it formed a huge part of my life. I consider it to be some of the best years of my life and there are things that really worked for me there. First, living in the community itself - Swansea people are fantastic people. They were very friendly, very welcoming. Next, the University itself and my department, all my faculty at the department of Humanities were amazing. I remember Dr. Alan Finlayson, Dr. Rebecca Brown and other Faculty members who made learning at Swansea University very impactful. They helped me as a student, and I will never forget that.
"My time at Swansea University holds a special place in my heart, as it shaped me in profound
ways and provided some of the best years of my life."
I also grew as a social activist at Swansea University by being active in the student union and given the opportunity to travel to different parts of the UK. Representing the voices of black and ethnic minority students across the UK was a privilege and an opportunity for personal and professional growth. I think it's such a fantastic institution, and that's why I'm active in the alumni group in Nigeria, and as much as possible, I encourage people to go to Swansea Uni! It's a fantastic town to live in, and the University itself is very welcoming. I found the lecturers very approachable and accessible; many of the skills I use in my professional and personal life, I gained during my time at Swansea University.
My time at Swansea University holds a special place in my heart, as it shaped me in profound ways and provided some of the best years of my life. One of the standout aspects was the warm and welcoming community of Swansea itself. The people were incredibly friendly and hospitable, which made my experience living there truly enjoyable.
