Reuben Abati Biography

Reuben Adeleye Abati, born on 7 November 1965, is a renowned Nigerian journalist, politician, television anchor, and newspaper columnist. Hailing from Nigeria, Abati has made significant contributions to the media landscape, serving in various capacities including as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan and as the chairman of the editorial board of the Nigerian newspaper, The Guardian.

Reuben Abati
Full Name	Reuben Adeleye Abati
Born	November 7, 1965 (age 58)
Nationality	Nigerian
Occupation	Journalist
Relationship Status	Unknown
Education	University of Calabar
Awards	The Red Media Africa Living Legends Industry Award (2015).
Organization	Guardian newspaper

Early Life

• Reuben Abati was born on 7 November 1965 in Nigeria.
• He began his career as a university teacher, teaching courses in Dramaturgy, Theory and Criticism, Special Author Studies, and the Sociology of Literature at the Olabisi Onabajo University in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, South West Nigeria.
• Abati is affiliated with several professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
• He has been recognized as a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, a Fellow of the 21st Century Trust, a Fellow of The Nigeria Leadership Initiative, and an Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters.

Education

• Abati graduated from the University of Calabar, Nigeria in 1985.
• He furthered his studies at the University of Ibadan as a University Scholar.
• He holds a PhD in Theatre Arts, specializing in Dramat ic Literature, Theory, and Criticism from the University of Ibadan.
• Abati earned a bachelor’s degree in law from Lagos State University, Lagos in 1999.
• He underwent professional training in journalism at the College of Journalism, University of Maryland, College Park, United States from 1996 to 1997.
• Additionally, he obtained a Certificate in Management and Leadership from the Said Business School, University of Oxford in 2015.

Career

Journalism and Media

• Abati served as chairman of the editorial board and Editorial Page Editor of The Guardian Newspapers for over a decade.
• He was a member and co-presenter of the television discussion program, “Patito’s Gang”, founded by Professor Pat Utomi.
• From 2003 to 2007, he was a member of the Governing Council of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
• Between 2007 and 2011, he was a member of the Board of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.
• Abati has been a prolific writer for the Nigerian press since 1985, contributing to various publications and covering a wide range of topics. He is particularly known for his book reviews, essays, and commentaries on national and international affairs.

Government Service

• Abati was appointed Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and Official Spokesperson to President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria in 2011.
• In this role, he managed the President’s media office, media relations, and led the Presidency’s public communications team.

Post-Presidency Work

• After his government service, Abati returned to journalism, writing regular columns in The Guardian newspaper and later in ThisDay newspaper.
• He is currently an anchor with Arise News on the program “The Morning Show” alongside Ojy Okpe.
• Abati also manages his website, reubenabati.com.ng, and is active on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter under the handle @abati1990. He offers consultancy on media and public policy issues.

Awards and Nominations

• Abati has received numerous awards for his journalistic excellence, including:
• The Hadj Alade Odunewu/Diamond Award for Media Excellence Prize for Informed Commentary (won four times).
• The Cecil King Memorial Prize for Print Journalist of the Year (1998).
• The Fletcher Challenge Commonwealth Prize for Opinion Writing (2000).
• The Freedom Peace Prize for Journalism (2010).
• The Red Media Africa Living Legends Industry Award (2015).

Personal Life

Not Available

Source: Wikipedia