Iliya Kure

Iliya Kure is a seasoned journalist, and communication specialist with over two decades of experience. He is the founder of the Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) and currently serves as Communications and Program Specialist at Independent Options LLC. He led media strategy for the Africa Center for Mentorship (ACM), supporting community-focused campaigns across the United States and Africa.

Throughout his journalism career, Kure has reported for media organisations including The New York Times. Voice of America (VOA), e-Global News, African Farming (UK), Radio Nigeria, and AFRICA PRIME NEWS. His reporting has focused on development issues, public health, child labour, education equity and the human impact of regional conflicts in West Africa.

Kure’s work also extends to digital storytelling and media research. He was selected as an inaugural student research fellow at the University of Southern California’s Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Lab, where his research examined the #AfricansInUkraine movement. His work documented how student refugees used mobile technology to highlight and respond to discrimination during Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He has also co-authored policy insights for the Washington-DC based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Maiduguri and a master’s degree in Specialized Journalism from the University of Southern California.

At the 10th Africa Conference on Development Journalism (ACDJ), Kure will draw on his field experience to share practical insights into development journalism, including how journalists can report on social challenges, amplify the experiences of affected communities and use evidence-based storytelling to promote public understanding and accountability.