Kolapo Olapoju

Kolapo Olapoju is a writer, journalist, and media trainer/innovator. As editor of TheCable, he has pioneered landmark projects for the platform regarded as Nigeria’s foremost knowledge-driven digital newspaper.

Olapoju oversaw the launch of Cable Check, which has become an authority in fact-checking. He helped set up TheCable Index(the data/research vertical), Climate Cable, and the PLWD desk, as well as TheCable DINA, the first disability-inclusive news application in Nigeria, which was one of the winners of the Google News Innovation Challenge.

Olapoju has reported on environmental degradation in mining communities, underage labour, child safety, and communal conflicts. His work has sparked change and influenced policy decisions. His reporting on menstrual hygiene management spurred a federal lawmaker, in 2020, to advocate for a sanitary products subsidy. This contributed to the federal government's decision to exempt sanitary products from value-added tax.

Olapoju's work has been used as a case study by researchers, most notably a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded global research.

Before becoming editor of TheCable, Olapoju had previously served as editor of YNaija, BizWatch Nigeria, TheCable Lifestyle, and as team lead of the Opera News Hub user-generated content project.

For the past decade, Olapoju has worked at the forefront of new media, helping to redefine the digital landscape and revolutionise the way people consume information online.