By 
Sunday Akin Dare has been appointed as the Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A seasoned journalist and public official, Dare brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including serving as Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports from 2019 to 2023.
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Before his ministerial appointment, Dare held the position of Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) from 2016 to 2019, where he managed interactions between the NCC and various stakeholders across public and private sectors. His role as the Chief of Staff and Special Adviser on Media to Tinubu, while the latter was leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), further established his reputation in public communication.
Dare’s career also spans a distinguished international journalism background. He served as Chief of the Hausa Service at Voice of America (VOA) in Washington, DC, between 2001 and 2009, overseeing radio and online broadcast programs and leading a team of journalists across the U.S. and West Africa. Additionally, he has held various media positions, including as a correspondent for The Nation magazine in New York and as a founding member of Nigerian weekly magazines The News and Tempo.
Academic Achievements
Dare’s educational background is robust, with studies and fellowships at prestigious institutions such as:
- London School of Economics (LSE): Strategic Communications
- Oxford University, UK: Academic Research Fellow
- Harvard University, USA: Nieman Journalism Fellowship in Journalism and New Media Studies
- New York University, USA: Freedom Forum Fellow, Visiting Scholar at the School of Journalism
- University of Jos, Nigeria: Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy
- Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria: Bachelor of Science in International Studies
He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and has held leadership roles in various professional media organizations.
Published Works
Dare is a prolific author with several publications, including:
- Making a Killing: The Business of War (2003), which won the Sigma Delta Chi Online Research Award from the Society of Professional Journalists
- Guerrilla Journalism: Dispatches from the Underground (2007)
- We Are All Journalists: Africa in the Age of Social Media (2011)
- Datelines: A Journalist’s Narrative (2016)
Awards and Recognitions
Dare’s career is decorated with numerous awards:
- Named one of the 50 Leading Nigerians in North America in 2010, in commemoration of Nigeria’s 50th anniversary
- Special Citation for Courage from the Committee to Protect Journalists (2000)
- Voice of America Meritorious Honor Award (2009) for leadership and outstanding performance
- VOA Silver Medal (2004) for extraordinary contributions to the agency’s mission
- Best Correspondent Award (1996) for covering political developments in Nigeria during military rule
New Role: Driving Public Communication and Orientation
As Special Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, Dare is expected to leverage his extensive experience in media and public affairs to shape the government’s communication strategy. With a focus on transparency and effective public engagement, he aims to foster a well-informed society and support President Tinubu’s administration in its efforts to enhance governance and development across Nigeria.
