About Me

Jennifer Ehidiamen is a tech savvy Journalist keen about using the new media as a tool to disseminate information, collaborate and stir up progressive interaction.

In late 2012, she spent 3 months in Ethiopia, where she worked with Global Press Institute team and GirlHub/Nike Foundation local partners to train young girls 17-25years on how to use multimedia tools for development communication. She later replicated the experience in North-central Nigeria where she worked with English Department of GSSS to set up its first Press Club in 2013, as a member of the National Youth Service Corps [NYSC].

Her growing interest in media entrepreneurship has inspired her to launch RuralRepoters.com, covering under-reported news stories for development.

While in college as an undergraduate at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Jennifer served as a freelance reporter and an avid youth columnist between January 2007 and January 2012 at the Nation, one of the national newspapers in Nigeria. Her journalism experience also includes working as a freelance Features Editor and writer at CP-Africa. In January 2012, she was recruited to serve as a pioneer online Editor (and social media strategist) at Ventures-Africa.com, a pan-African business magazine celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit and the reward of hard work in Africa. In 2013, Jennifer covered global health and development in Nigeria as one of the six New Media Fellows for 2013 for the International Reporting Project (IRP).

Jennifer was once described as one of the next generation of communicators during Georgetown University’s GAIN & Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC). A graduate of Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos Nigeria, and M.A. in Business and Economics from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Jennifer believes that a media that empowers people with accurate information is a powerful vehicle that can foster development, locally and internationally for public good. 

Between 2009 and 2010, Jennifer served as an Atlas Corps Fellow, volunteering with One World Youth Project (OWYP) in Washington DC as Communications and School Partnership Director. She helped OWYP develop an online communication strategy and created a system for sustainability. Her experience in international Journalism also includes covering President Obama's Meeting with Young African Leaders in Washington D.C. and also reporting live on the first Rolex Young Laureates Awards in Geneva, Switzerland. Jennifer served as a speaker during the World Press Freedom Day 2011 (WPFD) that held in Washington DC between May 1st-3rd. She spoke on youth consumption of the New Media, its challenges, and opportunities, under the theme "Digital Native: The New Media Generation.

In October 2011, Jennifer served as one of the youth bloggers who covered the 7th UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris. She also served as the Online Curator and Blog Editor for UNAIDS New Generation Leadership Strategy (CrowdOutAIDS), a consultancy service rendered as part of the collaborative crowdsourcing process to develop a new UNAIDS strategy on HIV and young people.

Her published books include, “In Days To Come” (2004), "Preserving My Saltiness" (2011) and "Half a Loaf & a Bakery" (2013).

In November 2010, Jennifer was awarded the LEAP Africa Nigerian Youth Leadership Award for her work as an outstanding Nigerian youth leader and her commitment to development. She is also a recipient of the 2013 Innovative Young Journalist Award by Journalists for Christ International Outreach and 2016 Foreign Press Association Award.

Jennifer hopes to keep reaching out to other youths through BeforeGrad www.beforegraduation.org, a  pet project she is very passionate about.

Jennifer believes God created youth for a purpose and thus, must not be wasted in frivolities.

Favorite quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Interview Archive:

With Paul Jones: FB Diva Friday Chronicles - Author Jennifer Ehidiamen

ON The Street | TVC News - Jennifer Ehidiamen speaks on her work and passion

Video TVC News: Jennifer Ehidiamen speaks on the benefits of volunteering 

Fusion Express: ‘There is no short cut’-Jennifer Ehidiamen

UN Blogger: A stroll with Jennifer Ehidiamen

Video: Jennifer talks about her efforts to work with children in Nigeria using medium of journalism