Board Member
Jimeh Saleh is an award-winning journalist and media executive, best known as the first journalist to report exclusively from Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest hideout for the BBC World Service in 2015, and for his 2013 undercover investigation into alleged human rights violations by the Nigerian Army. Born and raised in Maiduguri, he began his broadcasting career as a radio producer with the Voice of Nigeria before joining the BBC in 2008, where he rose from Producer to Senior Producer and ultimately Editor of the BBC Hausa Service, overseeing one of the corporation’s largest language services. As Editor, he introduced innovative editorial projects, including the acclaimed Hikayata short story competition for women, later replicated across other BBC language services. He went on to edit a partnership project between the BBC and the MacArthur Foundation producing public accountability town halls across Nigeria, before retiring from active journalism.
Jimeh holds a BA (Hons) in Mass Communication and an MA in Journalism (with distinction) from London Metropolitan University. He is a BBC Culture Champion, a volunteer mentor, and a member of the UK Institute of Directors and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (UK), and remains a sought-after speaker and moderator at journalism events worldwide. His decades of editorial leadership and commitment to diversity and inclusion bring valuable insight to AITI’s board.