International Journalist

Underreportedstories,brought to light.

With storytelling at the heart of my work, I travel across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to cover global health, development, human rights, the environment, and social justice — reporting in English and French for leading publications worldwide.

THE GUARDIANVICE WORLD NEWSMIT TECHNOLOGY REVIEWSTANFORD SOCIAL INNOVATION REVIEWTHE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITORCNNMONGABAYTHE NATIONALRETREADING BUSINESSREPORTING IN EN / FRTHE GUARDIANVICE WORLD NEWSMIT TECHNOLOGY REVIEWSTANFORD SOCIAL INNOVATION REVIEWTHE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITORCNNMONGABAYTHE NATIONALRETREADING BUSINESSREPORTING IN EN / FR
About / 01

Nearly a decade of reporting, grounded in social justice and global equity.

I've covered the social disruption of the Boko Haram crisis in northeast Nigeria, the abductions of schoolchildren in the northwest, and the threat of malaria — a major cause of maternal and child illness in Sub-Saharan Africa — amid the strain the 2020 coronavirus pandemic placed on an economically unstable continent.

From documenting the lives of communities affected by human trafficking to covering innovative health solutions across Africa, I strive to bring underreported stories to light. I led a multinational team of journalists on a 25-minute documentary — using filmmaking supported by drone videography — to amplify the voices of trafficked women across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Based in Lagos, I contribute to leading publications worldwide in both English and French. I also serve as the Africa correspondent for Retreading Business, a UK-based publication, where I deliver market analysis and executive interviews and expand coverage of the African tyre retreading industry.

Portrait of journalist Valentine Benjamin
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Global Health

Malaria, maternal and child health, and health innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Human Rights

Human trafficking, displacement, and the communities living through crisis and conflict.

Environment & Development

Development, environmental change, and the industries shaping the region's economy.

Social Justice

Social justice movements and equity across Nigeria and the wider African region.

Field record

8+ years of experience

  1. 2026 · The Guardian

    Editorial Contributor

    Exploring and reporting stories that capture evolving trends in global development, seascapes, urbanization, technology, global health, policy, and emerging issues across Nigeria through accurate, engaging, and well-researched articles that uphold The Guardian’s editorial standards of fairness, accuracy, and integrity under tight deadlines.

  2. 2023 · PACT-PAN

    Filmmaker / Drone Videographer

    Collaborated with a multinational team of journalists on a 25-minute documentary, using filmmaking supported with drone videography, to amplify the voices of trafficked women across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

  3. 2022 · Stanford Social Innovation Review

    Editorial Contributor

    Exploring narratives that highlight the convergence of health and innovation in Africa, garnering high engagement and thought-leadership recognition among global development stakeholders.

  4. 2020 · Retreading Business

    Africa Correspondent

    Delivering timely market analysis and executive interviews as Africa Correspondent, expanding coverage of the African tyre retreading industry and increasing regional readership.

  5. 2021 · AFJN

    Researcher

    Investigated human trafficking networks, conducting field research across communities in Nigeria's oil-rich region and producing findings that informed advocacy strategies and policy discussions.

  6. 2020 · The National

    Editorial Contributor

    Reported on breaking news and developing stories across multiple Nigerian states, reaching a combined audience of over 1 million readers between 2020–2023. Also produced in-depth features on human rights and social justice movements that were cited by international advocacy groups and contributed to ongoing policy dialogues.

  7. 2017 · Recycling Magazine

    Editorial Contributor / News Editor

    Covered and edited stories on environmental sustainability, e-waste management and recycling activities in Nigeria, publishing reports that informed cross-border conversations on circular economy practices.

Work / 02

Selected work

Nearly a decade of reporting across global health, human rights, the environment, and social justice. Filter the archive by publication.

Publications

Media / 03

Beyond the byline

Radio appearances

RadioApr 2, 2024

Nigeria's Kidnapping Crisis

Nigeria has a mass kidnapping problem, and this has been an especially horrific month. We are in conversation with a Nigeria-based development journalist with interest in Social Justice and Global Health topics across Sub-Saharan Africa, unpacking some of the reasons behind these kidnappings and what is being done to curb the problem.

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With Kwena MoabeloOct 19, 2020

Protests over SARS police brutality continue to rock Nigeria

Kwena Moabelo speaks with Valentine Benjamin, a journalist based in Nigeria, to discuss the #EndSARS protest in Nigeria and other countries. The Nigerian military has issued a warning to 'subversive elements and trouble makers' to desist after a week of protests about police brutality.

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With Kwena MoabeloAug 21, 2019

Zooming in on press freedom in Nigeria

Nigerian-based Journalist Valentine Benjamin speaks to Kwena Moabelo about Nigeria's state of press freedom.

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With Kwena MoabeloMar 25, 2020

Nigeria bans all international flights

Journalist Valentine Benjamin joins Kwena Moabelo on the line to speak about Nigeria suspending all international flights.

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With Kwena MoabeloNov 9, 2020

Nigerians protest against police brutality, seeking an end to the country's police unit that tortures detainees

Nigerian journalist Valentine Benjamin and Prince Debo Adesina, the founder of the Nigerian Lives Matter movement, join Kwena Moabelo on the line to talk about putting an end to the country's police unit that tortures detainees.

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With Kwena MoabeloMar 15, 2021

Nigeria steps up hunt for kidnapped students

Nigerian security forces stepped up efforts to rescue dozens of students who were abducted from their hostels in northwestern Kaduna state in the latest attack on schools. Journalist Valentine Benjamin joins Kwena Moabelo to speak about the trend of school children being abducted in Nigeria.

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RadioFeb 14, 2022

Nigeria: Stories of modern-day slavery (and the under-funded fight to end it)

Valentine Benjamin is a Nigeria-based journalist with interests in development journalism, global health, social justice and the environment. His works have been featured in Vice World News, The National News, Ozy, Equal Times and more.

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With Kwena MoabeloSep 17, 2019

Africa Monday: Shining the spotlight on Nigeria following violent attacks

Nigeria-based journalist Valentine Benjamin speaks to Kwena Moabelo about the current mood in Nigeria following the violent protests against foreigners in South Africa, which saw hundreds of foreign nationals return to their home countries.

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Drone videography

2025

A City That Never Sleeps

An interactive drone videography showcasing the chaotic blend of modern development and informal structures which defines Lagos.

2025

The Makoko Settlement

An interactive drone videography showcasing an aerial view of Makoko, Nigeria, which defines the struggle of residents living on stilts.

Contact / 04

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