Emerging Leaders 2024: THISDAY’s Rebecca Ejifoma Named Among The Peak Performer 100 Under 40

By Yinka Olatunbosun

THISDAY Newspaper journalist, Rebecca Ejifoma, has been named among The Peak Performer 100 Under 40 Emerging Leaders 2024 list.

The recognition celebrates young professionals across sectors in Africa whose work continues to shape the future of the continent through impact, excellence and leadership.

Honoured at TPP Fest in Lagos for her outstanding contributions to journalism, public-interest reporting, and media leadership, Ejifoma has over a decade of professional experience at THISDAY Newspaper. She has distinguished herself as a reporter who worked on beats that span Property and Environment, Arts and Reviews, Crime and Security, and then Health, with particular emphasis on maternal, newborn and child health, and underserved communities.

She began her journalism career with THISDAY Newspaper between 2010 and 2011 as an intern, reporting on Property and Environment, before returning in 2014, where she currently serves as a Features and Health Reporter.

Over the years, her reporting has consistently amplified critical social issues, influenced public discourse, and has also supported development-focused advocacy.

Clearly, her professional impact is underpinned by a robust academic and professional training portfolio. She holds an HND in Journalism from the Times Journalism Institute, Lagos, and a Professional Certificate in Creative Writing and News Reporting from the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University (PAU).

She has further honed her expertise through advanced training in Data Journalism, Business and Financial Journalism, Solution Journalism, Digital Journalism, and Misinformation and Politics from PAU including recent studies in Modern Journalism with Yellowbrick in collaboration with New York University (NYU), USA.

Her global exposure includes certifications from the University of California, Davis, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and cross-cultural competence. She also trained with ARISE Television (a THISDAY sister company) as an intern in 2021, where she sourced and localized international news content and supported newsroom broadcast operations.

Indeed, Ejifoma’s reporting excellence has earned her multiple national recognitions, including being the winner of Nestlé Nigeria Media Award for the Best Story in the Women’s Category; Second Runner-up, Nestlé Nigeria Media Award for Community Development (2022); and the Child Protection Network (CPN) Recognition for contributions to advancing the rights of the Nigerian child (2017).

Beyond the newsroom, she has participated in and supported development communication initiatives, humanitarian reporting trips, and community engagements. They include assignments in riverine communities, IDP camps, naval operations onboard NNS Ekulu to high sea and securing of waterways during general elections in the country, and advocacy programmes focused on women, children, and public health.

In a congratulatory message, The Peak Performer Africa described Ejifoma’s recognition as a true reflection of her leadership promise and professional consistency. “This is an acknowledgement of your commitment to excellence and your potential to deliver greater achievement in propelling the future of our dear continent.”

With Ejifoma’s name on The Peak Performer 100 Under 40 Emerging Leaders 2024 list, it goes to show her work combines academic depth, ethical reporting, social responsibility, and sustained impact, setting a strong example for the next generation of African media professionals.

The Peak Performer 100 Under 40 Emerging Leaders recognition is an annual list by The Peak Performer Africa that spotlights 100 young African leaders under age 40 who are creating significant positive impact in their fields and communities.

Released by The Peak Performer Africa, a leadership and performance platform, the curated “100 Under 40” list focuses on empowering credible African leaders, and serves to inspire young Africans who exemplify excellence, innovation, and strong leadership performance across sectors such as business, public service, social impact and media among others.

This recognition gives recipients continental visibility, framing them as role models who “drive positive change across the globe and inspire multiple generations,” says Salami.

It aligns with The Peak Performer’s broader leadership programs and summits, creating networking, mentorship, and brand-building opportunities that can accelerate careers and impact.

The organisers believe that publicly highlighting the achievements of the recipients helps attract support, partnerships, and resources to the initiatives these young leaders are leading.

The 100 Under 40 Emerging Leaders is an inaugural and evolving initiative within The Peak Performer Africa’s wider recognition ecosystem, which includes other awards such as Peak Performing CEO of the Year and Peak Performing Woman of the Year.

The list is explicitly documented for 2024 in connection with International Youth Day and EMERGE 2024. This indicates that the recognition is a growing annual feature of The Peak Performer platform.