Oladeinde Olawoyin, the Business Editor at PREMIUM TIMES, has earned the distinguished opportunity to join the 2025 International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). This elite program targets professionals excelling in Trade, Finance, and Development, providing a platform for global exchange and professional growth.
He is among a distinguished cohort of 22 international delegates hailing from countries such as Guyana, Moldova, Turkmenistan, Germany, New Zealand, Brazil, Rwanda, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Peru, Montenegro, Finland, the Philippines, Colombia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia, Iraq, India, Lebanon, and Ukraine.
This global gathering features a diverse mix of professionals, including economists, sanctions and compliance experts, government economic advisors, trade and SME consultants, CEOs, accountants, and auditors, all contributing their expertise.
Backed by the U.S. Department of State, the IVLP immerses participants in the complexities of American trade policies, governmental systems, market operations, business environments, and the functioning of small and medium enterprises across various U.S. regions.
The International Visitor Leadership Program represents the flagship exchange initiative of the U.S. Government, fostering enduring collaborations between American citizens and influential leaders worldwide across government, commerce, and academia.
Selection for the program is highly competitive, with U.S. embassies nominating candidates based on their proven leadership and significant contributions within their home countries.
Since its establishment in 1940, the IVLP has welcomed over 230,000 international leaders, including more than 500 current and former heads of state, 12 Nobel laureates, and over 1,600 cabinet ministers and distinguished figures in industry, science, and education.
As a cornerstone of U.S. public diplomacy, the program advances foreign policy goals by cultivating lasting relationships and mutual understanding between Americans and emerging global leaders.
Throughout their visits, participants engage with peers and experts in their fields across multiple U.S. cities, gaining valuable perspectives and fostering intercultural dialogue.
This initiative thrives on the support of American volunteers, community organizations, and private sector collaborators, embodying the essence of “citizen diplomacy” by offering international visitors an authentic glimpse into American culture and society.
Profile: Oladeinde Olawoyin
Oladeinde Olawoyin holds the position of Business, Energy, and Economy Editor at PREMIUM TIMES. His journalistic expertise spans critical sectors such as oil and gas, finance, agriculture, power, maritime affairs, and economic growth.
He graduated with First Class honors in Mass Communication from the University of Ilorin, where he was the top-ranking student in his department. He further advanced his studies by obtaining a master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.
His professional accolades include a nomination for The Future Awards Africa in 2017, the West Africa Media Excellence Award (WAMECA) in 2018, and the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award the same year.
In recognition of his impactful coverage of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the Gates Foundation named him a “Global Goalkeeper” in 2018 during a ceremony held in South Africa.
He was among 12 global finalists for the 2019 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award and clinched the Capital Market Reporter of the Year title at the 2019 PwC Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism.
Additional honors include the African Media Development Foundation Award in 2019 and finalist status at the 2020 Sanlam Award for Excellence in Financial Journalism.
Olawoyin has broadened his knowledge through specialized training in finance, economics, oil and gas, and capital markets across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
He is a recipient of the 2018 Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting, a 2018 fellow of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, a 2019 fellow of the African Science Literacy Network, a 2020 Climate Tracker Journalism Fellow, and a 2021 fellow of the International Center for Journalists.
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In October 2022, Olawoyin was honored as Business Reporter of the Year at the West African Media Excellence Awards in Accra, Ghana. He also reached the finals for the DAME and PwC awards in Lagos that year.
As PREMIUM TIMES’ business editor, he has led numerous editorial projects and provided mentorship to journalists both within the newsroom and across the industry.
His investigative journalism has been featured in notable platforms such as Finance Uncovered, a London-based investigative finance outlet, and the New York Times.