Title: David Hundeyin Biography: 10 Facts About the Nigerian Investigative Journalist’s Life and Career
Meta Description: David Hundeyin biography covers his birth date, education, career at West Africa Weekly, investigative awards, controversies, and current work as an independent journalist based in Ghana.
Who Is David Hundeyin?
David Hundeyin is a Nigerian investigative journalist, author, and founder of the Substack newsletter West Africa Weekly. He was born on 6 May 1990 and built his career through open-source investigative reporting. His work has appeared on CNN, The Africa Report, The Washington Post, and BusinessDay.
When Was David Hundeyin Born?
David Hundeyin was born on 6 May 1990. Sources differ on his exact birthplace, citing either Lagos State or Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
What Is David Hundeyin’s Educational Background?
David Hundeyin attended Grange School in Lagos for primary education and Atlantic Hall School for secondary education. He studied mass communications at Igbinedion University before completing a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Media, Culture and Society at the University of Hull in 2011.
How Did David Hundeyin Start His Career?
David Hundeyin began his career in business consulting and marketing before moving into journalism. He worked as a Project Assistant at KPMG UK in 2012 and as an Account Executive at Direct Group Limited between 2014 and 2015.
His career developed through the following stages:
- Worked as Project Assistant at KPMG UK in 2012.
- Served as Account Executive at Direct Group Limited from 2014 to 2015.
- Held roles including Head of Content for BHM Group Nigeria and Columnist for BusinessDay between 2015 and 2019.
- Became founding writer for The Other News, Nigeria’s first prime-time political-satire show, from 2017 to 2018.
- Founded West Africa Weekly, a Substack newsletter, in 2020.
- Received the Substack Local Fellowship in 2021 as one of 12 journalists selected worldwide.
What Is David Hundeyin Known For?
David Hundeyin is known for open-source investigative journalism covering business, politics, and security in West Africa. Examples of his investigations include reporting on Nigeria’s civil aviation sector, Chinese loan apps operating illegally in West Africa, and the murder case of Hiny Umoren, examined using cellular geolocation and open-source intelligence.
What Awards Has David Hundeyin Received?
David Hundeyin has received multiple journalism awards, including the 2020 People Journalism Prize for Africa and the 2023 Whistleblower Award from the Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Awards. Other recognitions include:
- Special Investigative Reporting Category winner, PwC Media Excellence Awards 2023
- 100 Most Influential Africans of 2022, New African Magazine
- GRC and Financial Crime Prevention Reporter of the Year, 2021 and 2022
- Most Outstanding Young Person in Journalism, Lagos Youth Awards 2022
- Sigma Awards shortlist for data journalism in 2022 and 2023
What Has David Hundeyin Written?
David Hundeyin published his debut nonfiction book, “The Jungle: A Personal Journey With The Enfant Terrible Of Nigerian Journalism.” Following its publication, he was named the 2023 Distinguished James Currey Fellow at the University of Cambridge.
What Controversies Has David Hundeyin Faced?
David Hundeyin has faced legal disputes over his investigative reporting and social media commentary. In 2021, Nigerian politician Godswill Akpabio demanded a retraction after Hundeyin published an article connecting a hotel owned by Akpabio’s wife to a rape and death case. In January 2026, Paystack co-founder Ezra Olubi issued a pre-action notice demanding 140 million naira in damages over tweets Hundeyin posted in December 2025.
Where Does David Hundeyin Currently Live?
David Hundeyin is based in Ghana as an independent journalist. He has described his time abroad as an ongoing period of exile connected to his investigative reporting on powerful individuals and institutions in West Africa.
What Is David Hundeyin’s Recent Work?
David Hundeyin produced the documentary “What Happened on October 29?” about the violence surrounding Tanzania’s October 2025 general election. The documentary premiered in Accra, Ghana, on 26 May 2026 at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Quick Facts About David Hundeyin
The table below defines David Hundeyin’s key biographical details.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 May 1990 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Investigative journalist, author |
| Education | University of Hull (Creative Writing and Media, Culture and Society) |
| Founded | West Africa Weekly (2020) |
| Debut book | The Jungle: A Personal Journey With The Enfant Terrible Of Nigerian Journalism |
| Current base | Ghana |
What Makes David Hundeyin a Notable Figure in Nigerian Journalism?
David Hundeyin’s combination of open-source investigative methods, award-winning reporting, and willingness to challenge powerful figures make him a notable figure in Nigerian journalism. Novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has described him as “brilliant.” His path from business consulting to founding West Africa Weekly reinforces his public identity as David Hundeyin, the investigative journalist born in 1990.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is David Hundeyin known for? David Hundeyin is known for open-source investigative journalism covering business, politics, and security in West Africa.
What newsletter did David Hundeyin found? David Hundeyin founded West Africa Weekly, a Substack newsletter, in 2020.
Where does David Hundeyin live now? David Hundeyin is based in Ghana as an independent journalist.
What book did David Hundeyin write? David Hundeyin wrote “The Jungle: A Personal Journey With The Enfant Terrible Of Nigerian Journalism.”