Wemimo Adewuni Obiwale: Championing African Narratives with Strategic Visibility and Empowerment
Wemimo Adewuni Obiwale is not merely recounting African stories; she is actively repositioning the continent on the global stage through visibility and power. As an afrocentric PR professional, media strategist, public speaker, and advocate for women's rights and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Obiwale is the visionary founder of Clove Red Media. This impact-driven public relations and communications agency is dedicated to amplifying African excellence worldwide, ensuring that African talents are recognized, respected, and competitively positioned internationally.
Founding Clove Red Media and Spark Conference
Clove Red Media operates as an afrocentric media and PR company focused on strategic media communications and personal branding for African professionals and organizations. Its mission is clear: to challenge and change the negative narratives surrounding Africa by showcasing its abundant talents. Obiwale emphasizes, "Africa is a land of talents. Our work is to showcase these talents and change the negative narratives surrounding Africa." The agency employs a comprehensive 360-degree branding approach, including personal and organizational branding, content development, photo and video production, social media management, media buying, and digital marketing, to help African brands present themselves boldly and professionally online.
In addition to Clove Red Media, Obiwale convenes the Spark Conference: Africa Unfolds, a youth-focused platform designed to inspire and mentor the next generation of African leaders. The inaugural edition brought together over 400 students from the University of Lagos for an immersive mentoring experience with Nigerian journalists and media professionals working internationally. In 2025, the conference engaged over 230 students in cross-sector mentorship, further solidifying its impact.
Early Influences and Career Trajectory
Obiwale's drive for justice and advocacy was shaped early in life. Growing up, her father ensured the family watched the 9pm Network News on NTA every night, exposing her to stories of corruption and societal neglect. "I remember stories of corruption and brazen theft by government officials while citizens suffered hunger and neglect," she recalls. This childhood outrage evolved into a lifelong commitment to social advocacy, accountability, and storytelling as tools for change.
Her career began in broadcast journalism at Radio One 103.5 FM, followed by a role at Nigeria Info 99.3 FM Lagos, where she became a Breakfast Show Producer and Co-Anchor. She later hosted Table Talk, a weekly program exploring governance, gender, and social justice on Nigeria's most trusted news station. Her work extended into civil society, serving as Media and Communications Manager at the Women Advocate and Documentation Centre (WARDC) and holding positions such as Senior Editor, Advocacy and Gender Issues, and Senior Programmes Officer at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, where she supported investigative reporting and ethical media practices.
Additional Initiatives and Recognitions
Obiwale is also the founder of Medrive, a media hub that has trained and mentored over 150 journalists in impact journalism, fact-checking, grant writing, storytelling, and personal branding. Her excellence has earned prestigious recognitions, including being a Fellow of the Margaret Ekpo Youth Fellowship (YouthHub Africa), a Fellow of the Female Reporters' Leadership Programme of the Wole Soyinka Centre in collaboration with Free Press Unlimited, and being shortlisted for the BBC Komla Dumor Award in 2018.
Armed with a degree in English Language and a Master's in Public and International Affairs, Obiwale remains deeply passionate about gender equality in healthcare, politics, the economy, and access to opportunities. Her personal philosophy, "Life Is Lived in Days," inspired the title of her 2025 e-book, emphasizing that purpose must be practiced daily through work and relationships.
Challenges and Vision for the Future
Building an impact-driven, afrocentric PR agency has not been without challenges. Obiwale admits, "This is not the usual PR. Introducing a new model requires significant investment, especially in marketing and audience education." Despite this, she remains focused on the long-term vision, supported by a strong network of family and friends who have assisted emotionally, financially, and practically.
Her advice to young women is simple yet powerful: find your purpose, express it boldly, make mistakes, learn quickly, and move forward stronger, as life rewards courage. To unwind, Obiwale enjoys dancing, watching movies, exercising at home, and spending time with loved ones.
Through Clove Red Media, Medrive, and Africa Unfolds, Wemimo Adewuni Obiwale is ensuring that Africa no longer whispers its story but tells it with visibility, confidence, and power. She asserts, "The global community must acknowledge that they are indebted to Africa. We are not a pity project. We are the Source." Her work continues to transform public images, secure premium positioning for advocacy campaigns, and empower African narratives on a global scale.
