Mercy Abang
Mercy Banku Abang | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 20, 1984 Ogoja, Nigeria |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, media personality, social media consultant, strategist |
| Years active | Early 2000s–present |
| Known for | Independent reporting on marginalized groups, election observation, Conversations with Abang Mercy show |
| Notable work | Conversations with Abang Mercy |
Mercy Banku Abang is a distinguished Nigerian journalist recognized for her independently funded reporting focused on marginalized groups. Among Nigeria's most widely syndicated freelance reporters and storytellers, Mercy earned the 2017 United Nations (Dag Hammarskjold) Journalism Fellowship and has taken part in numerous election observation missions throughout West Africa. Her show, "Conversations with Abang Mercy," has showcased prominent Nigerian figures including Reno Omokri, Dele Momodu, and Chude Jideonwo. In 2017, she received the Woman of the Year in Journalism award, while in 2012 she was listed among 10 Young Nigerian Women to Watch.
Abang significantly contributed to election coverage in Ghana, reporting from several polling locations and emphasizing the role of Ghanaian bloggers. She has also provided detailed accounts of the activities of Fulani herdsmen in Northern Nigeria, especially within Niger State, bringing to light underrepresented stories concerning the Gbagyi communities.
Background
Mercy was born in Ogoja near Boki and spent her formative years between this town and Abuja, where her family later settled. She attended Holy Child (Convent) Primary School and Holy Child Secondary School (Mount Carmel) located in Igoli-Ogoja. Subsequently, she relocated to Abuja, attending Gwarinpa Secondary School in the Federal Capital Territory before enrolling at the International Institute of Journalism, where she earned a Post-Graduate Diploma in Advertising and Public Relations.
Furthering her education, she studied Digital Storytelling at the Grimme-Institut in Bonn, Germany, as well as Media in Peacekeeping Operations and Election Observation at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center based in Accra, Ghana.
Early life
Born on 20 September 1984, Mercy enhanced her expertise by undertaking specialized training in Election Observation at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre in Accra.
Career
Mercy Banku Abang launched her professional journey as a political correspondent with Independent Television and Radio (ITV) in Abuja at an early stage, covering political parties and activities related to Nigeria's electoral commission. While at ITV Abuja, she also held roles such as non-linear editor, presentation director, and producer, developing programs including This Morning, a breakfast show. Her journalism primarily centers on vulnerable groups and socio-political matters.
She has partnered with African youth organizations and civil society groups like Oxfam GB Nigeria, West African Civil Society Forum, and Heinrich Böll Foundation on advocacy and lobbying initiatives. Additionally, Mercy has contributed as a stringer for the Associated Press and acted as a fixer for international media outlets such as the Sunday Times of London, BBC World Service Trust, Al Jazeera, and Columbia Journalism School New York.
Through her association with Heinrich Böll Foundation, she has authored articles and presented on Nigeria’s environmental issues and future prospects for a post-oil economy in urban centers like Lagos and Abuja, as well as internationally in Berlin and London. Her media expertise spans television broadcasting, print journalism, and digital content creation.
At just 20 years old, Mercy represented Nigeria alongside other African leaders advocating against the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) between the European Union and African Caribbean Pacific nations during meetings held in Senegal and the Gambia.
She also served as media assistant to Cross River State Governor Donald Duke during his presidential campaign under the Donald Duke Campaign Organization.
In 2014, Mercy took part in the African Union’s Third Annual High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance held in Nairobi with delegates from over 40 African countries. In March 2015, she co-hosted a live televised town hall event alongside BBC journalist Kadaria Ahmed featuring Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the INEC, engaging Nigerians on election-related matters.
Prior to the 2015 elections, Mercy anchored a youth forum in Lagos where she interviewed former Vice President and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. She regularly contributes to media platforms including YNaija and EcoJournalism.
Advocacy
Mercy is actively involved with the advocacy group Enough is Enough Nigeria, established by Chude Jideonwo, where she held the position of Communications Coordinator. Through this platform, she coordinated town hall and campus forums throughout Nigeria’s six geo-political regions, aiming to educate young Nigerians on electoral laws and voting procedures. As a public speaker and commentator, she inspires youth audiences both within Nigeria and internationally.
As a young entrepreneur from Africa, Mercy generates employment opportunities while working as a social media consultant and strategist. Additionally, she played a role in the LightupNigeria campaign initiated by Amara Nwankpa, which advocates for the disbursement of funds pledged by President Goodluck Jonathan to support rehabilitation efforts for victims affected by the 2013 lead poisoning incident in Zamfara’s gold mining communities.
Personalities interviewed
In 2017, Mercy conducted an interview with Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, concentrating on enhancing services provided by traditional birth attendants through the Abiye programme implemented across 18 Local Government Areas. The conversation emphasized initiatives that successfully lowered the Maternal Mortality Ratio from 745 to 112 per 100,000 live births between 2009 and 2016, supported by two specialized Mother and Child Hospitals.
She also hosted a two-hour live broadcast interview with Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of INEC, on Channels Television prior to the crucial 2015 general elections. The dialogue addressed preparations and the conduct of elections during the political transition that resulted in President Muhammadu Buhari succeeding former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mercy interviewed Atiku Abubakar, former Vice-President of Nigeria and presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), discussing the internal campaign strategies that led to Buhari becoming the APC’s presidential nominee.
Media Report
- Red Cross reports 22,000 Nigerians missing since Boko Haram insurgency began
- United Nations urges immediate measures to halt violence in Nigeria
- Journalist killed amid rising casualties in rallies over Shia leader
- Fatal clashes between security forces and Shia protesters reported in Nigeria
- West African regional bloc approves 'ECO' as name for proposed common currency
- Nigerian Shia leader and spouse travel to India for medical care
- Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated for second presidential term in Nigeria
- Emigration of medical doctors from Nigeria reaches unprecedented levels
- Local elections in Nigeria characterized by notably low voter participation
- Nigeria schedules local elections amid concerns over potential violence
- Nigerian women prepare for unexpected outcomes in upcoming elections
- The impact of civic journalism and young bloggers in Ghanaian media landscape
- Severe water shortage highlights poverty amid wealth in Nigeria’s capital
Awards and Recognitions
- Honored as Woman of the Year in Journalism
- Recognized among Young Nigerian Women to Watch
- Selected as a 2017 United Nations Journalism Fellow
- Awarded 2017 budgIT Media Fellowship
- Listed among the 100 most inspiring Nigerian women