We are proud to share that The Republic podcast has officially been named one of three finalists at the 2025 One World Media Awards in the Podcast & Radio category! This honour recognizes our second season, which explores the activism, legacy and execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 9.  

This is a significant feat for us because the One World Media Awards specially honours outstanding journalism that shines a light on underreported stories across the Global South. Our nominated category, Podcast & Radio, celebrates audio works that not only captivate but also inspire change by telling stories with urgency, care and transformative intent. 

At The Republic, our foremost concern is creating a stage where the many faces and complexities of the African experience can shine, and our podcast is one of the various ways that we achieve this. 

In response to this exciting news, our founder and editor-in-chief, Wale Lawal said:

I’m excited for the world to further discover the compelling legacy of the 90s Ogoni movement. As much of the world charts post-oil futures, we urgently need to ask questions about what futures oil-ravaged regions like the Niger Delta can have, when they continue to be denied environmental justice. To begin to interrogate these futures, we must understand the past. The podcast exists for this reason and this recognition speaks to the rigorous work that went into developing this podcast as well as the importance of this story.

Additionally, he believes our podcast resonates strongly with global audiences because,

The Ogoni movement was not a remote incident but a strategic, non-violent resistance movement that disrupted a resource precious to the heart of global capitalism. The movement itself resonated internationally and changed the way the world thought about oil and exposed the demerits of unchecked capitalism and state collusion. The podcast builds on this legacy because it is an authentically Nigerian story that shows how deeply embedded our local realities are within the global framework. At a time when much of the world still considers African communities like the Niger Delta to be disconnected from global dynamics, we have added further compelling evidence to the argument that Africa is essential to the making of the modern world. Ultimately, the podcast resonates because it offers substance and accuracy with its thorough analysis, historical context and firsthand interviews with activists, scholars and community members (including affected family members), presenting a compelling narrative that includes Shell’s own statements.

This nomination is a celebration of the entire team behind the podcast, the communities whose stories we tell and the listeners who have made this work visible. We are honoured to be part of a global community of storytellers committed to justice, truth and change.