Rave 91.7 FM Foundation: Harnessing the Power of Media for Social Good.

Oluchi Chibuzor

In an era where media platforms often chase headlines rather than heritage, Rave 91.7 FM stands out for its sustained commitment to public service journalism and civic empowerment. But beyond its award-winning broadcasts and respected editorial stance, the station’s quiet revolution is unfolding through its nonprofit arm — the Rave 91.7 FM Foundation.

Born from the same ethos that powers the radio station, the foundation is redefining how media institutions in Nigeria engage with the public — not just as audiences but as active participants in the democratic process.

Bridging the Gap Between Media and Civic Action

For years, Rave 91.7 FM and its sister television station, Western Spring Television, have established themselves as platforms that do not just report issues but interrogate them — fostering dialogue, holding power to account, and amplifying community voices. Rave 91.7 FM Foundation takes this mission a step further, translating journalism into grassroots action.

Through advocacy, education, community mobilization and sensitization, and digital innovation, the foundation empowers citizens — particularly youth and underserved communities — to play active roles in governance and social change.

At the heart of this effort is collaboration. The Rave 91.7 FM Foundation has partnered with respected organizations including the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Urban Alert, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, Community Advancement Initiative For Self-Reliance (CAI4SR), and BBC Media Action, among many others.

These partnerships have enabled it to scale its reach and implement civic-focused projects that are both locally grounded and internationally supported. The foundation’s projects and interventions range from campaigns on electoral reforms, public health, and good governance to citizen participation and media training and literacy for professionals and the general public.

Programs That Empower: “F’ibò F’ohùn” and Inclusive Governance

One of the foundation’s notable recent civic interventions is the project “F’ìbò F’ohùn… Ohùn re, ìbò re” (“Use Your Vote to Speak… Your Voice, Your Vote”), supported by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos. The initiative promotes democratic participation and citizen awareness.

It includes a multi-platform radio civic dialogue series, ÌGBÌMÒ ÀJORÒ (The People’s Parliament), which airs simultaneously on Rave 91.7 FM, Uniq FM Ilesa, and Ayekooto FM Iwo, reaching diverse and widespread audiences. Aside from sensitizing citizens on critical matters of state, the programme offers members of the public a key opportunity to contribute to governance issues.

Accompanying this civic dialogue is a powerful radio drama series, “Ìlú Alátise,” written by Adeyemi Olabode. The drama, which also enjoys funding support from the United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, blends storytelling with civic education, making abstract issues like governance, accountability, and rights more relatable to everyday listeners.

Both programs are crafted to inspire conversation and reflection while equipping citizens with the knowledge to engage meaningfully in the democratic process. These efforts have been recognized and supported by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Consulate in Lagos — a testament to their credibility and relevance.

Training the Media to Serve Better

The foundation also invests in capacity building within the media space. In December 2019, with support from the U.S. Consulate, it organized a community reporting workshop titled “Media Content and Inclusive Governance.” The training brought together senior journalists and media executives from Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Ondo, and Ekiti states, focusing on best practices for inclusive coverage.

Opening the session in Osogbo, then Public Affairs Officer Russell Brooks encouraged journalists to intentionally amplify the voices of marginalized groups — including women, youth, and people living with disabilities.

The workshop served as a platform to reimagine how the media can better serve Nigeria’s diverse and often overlooked communities. Speakers at the workshop included Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, and Dr. Bisi Olawunmi of Adeleke University.

Environmental Advocacy: Save Osun River
Beyond governance and media literacy, the foundation, in collaboration with Urban Alert — an Osun-based civic tech and advocacy group — took on environmental advocacy through the Save Osun River campaign. Using both traditional radio and digital platforms, Urban Alert leveraged its partnership with the Rave 91.7 FM Foundation and others to highlight the chemical pollution and degradation threatening the historic Osun River, calling for policy action, community responsibility, and sustainable environmental practices.

This collaboration demonstrates the foundation’s focus on intersectional issues, recognizing that environmental justice, civic rights, and governance are deeply linked.
In Oju Eleri, a programme on Rave 91.7 FM, the two organizations also share an enduring partnership that focuses on addressing social vices, environmental degradation, and promoting open governance by ensuring that government agencies and service providers are responsive, efficient, and accountable to the public.

A Model for Media-Led Social Impact

The Rave 91.7 FM Foundation stands as a compelling model for how media organizations can evolve beyond broadcasting into meaningful civic engagement — serving as a bridge of care for the people and the society. Through partnerships, programs, and platforms, it is helping to reawaken civic consciousness and foster participatory democracy from the ground up.

In a time of public skepticism and media fatigue, its work offers a hopeful reminder: that journalism, when guided by purpose and supported by action, can be one of society’s most powerful tools for change.