Dele Oyewale: Biography, Journalism Career and Role as EFCC Spokesperson

Dele Oyewale is a Nigerian journalist and public relations professional who serves as the Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His career has combined newsroom experience with public-sector communication, placing him at the centre of how the anti-graft agency communicates its activities to the media and the public.

Oyewale was appointed EFCC spokesperson on September 28, 2023, by the commission’s then Acting Chairman, Abdulkarim Chukkol. He holds the rank of Deputy Commander within the commission.

Early Career and Journalism Background

Before joining the EFCC, Oyewale built his professional experience in journalism, working with several Nigerian media organisations, including TheNEWS, TEMPO, PM News and TELL Magazine.

His early work involved reporting across different areas of public interest. He subsequently rose to the position of assistant editor at TELL Magazine in 2001, before working with BroadStreet Journal, a business-focused publication associated with TELL Communications.

His reporting career earned him recognition at the Nigerian Media Merit Awards. Reported honours include Industry Reporter of the Year in 2002 and 2003, Business Reporter of the Year in 2003 and 2005, Aviation Reporter of the Year in 2004 and 2005, and Banking and Finance Reporter of the Year in 2005.

These distinctions reflect his experience covering different aspects of Nigeria’s economic and public affairs landscape before moving into institutional communication.

Education and Professional Development

Oyewale holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the University of Ilorin in Kwara State. He also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and a Master of Business Administration degree from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Oyo State.

His academic qualifications, alongside his newsroom experience, form part of the professional background he brought to public communication and media relations.

Appointment as EFCC Head of Media and Publicity

In September 2023, Oyewale was appointed Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, taking over the spokesperson role following the redeployment of Wilson Uwujaren, who became Acting Director of Public Affairs.

His responsibilities include communicating the commission’s activities, issuing statements on investigations and enforcement operations, and engaging journalists on matters relating to its statutory mandate.

The position requires clear communication of complex legal and financial matters, particularly when investigations attract considerable public attention. It also requires careful distinction between allegations, ongoing investigations and findings established through the judicial process.

As the commission’s spokesperson, Oyewale has featured in media reports concerning investigations, arrests, prosecutions, asset recovery and the agency’s broader anti-corruption efforts.

Recognition for Public Communication

In April 2025, Oyewale received the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations’ Outstanding Federal Government Spokesperson of the Year award at the National Spokespersons Awards ceremony in Abuja.

The recognition highlighted his work in strategic communication, media engagement and public presentation of the EFCC’s activities.

In July 2025, he was also named among Nigeria’s 50 Top Public Relations Professionals in a recognition organised by GLG Communications, according to a report published by Premium Times.

These recognitions added to his professional profile beyond his earlier achievements in journalism.

Dele Oyewale and the EFCC’s Public Information Role

The EFCC’s work often involves matters that attract significant public interest, including suspected financial misconduct, money laundering and other alleged economic crimes. Its communications unit helps provide information about official operations and explain the commission’s activities to the public.

When enforcement operations involve businesses, foreign nationals or commercial sectors such as mining, official statements can help establish what authorities have reported, what items were recovered and what investigative steps may follow.

However, a spokesperson’s announcement of an arrest does not establish guilt. Suspects remain entitled to due process, and allegations must be tested through the appropriate legal procedures.

Oyewale’s position therefore places him within an important part of Nigeria’s public information system, where accurate reporting, institutional transparency and responsible communication are essential to public understanding.

His progression from journalism to public affairs illustrates one of the career paths available to media professionals who move into government communication and institutional public relations.

As Nigeria continues to address economic and financial crimes, the role of the EFCC’s media leadership remains relevant to how investigations are reported, understood and scrutinised by the public.