Bayo Onanuga Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Parents, State of Origin, Family

Biography

Bayo Onanuga (born June 20, 1957, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria) is a veteran Nigerian journalist, media entrepreneur, and political strategist.

He earned a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1980, after attending Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode and Federal Government College, Odogbolu.

Onanuga began his career at The Guardian newspaper in 1983 before co-founding TheNews magazine and PM News in the early 1990s, platforms renowned for their bold exposés against military dictatorship during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles.

In 2015, he was appointed Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by President Muhammadu Buhari. Since October 2023, he has served as Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, shaping the administration’s communication amid economic reforms and political debates.

A polarizing figure for his outspoken defenses of Tinubu‘s policies, Onanuga remains a key voice in Nigerian media and politics.

Nigerian journalist
Bayo Onanuga
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Bayo Onanuga
Born:	20 June 1957 (age 68 years old)
Place of Birth:	Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria
State Of Origin:	Ogun State
Nationality:	Nigerian
Education:	Moslem Primary School, Muslim College Ijebu-Ode, Federal Government College, Odogbolu, University of Lagos
Height:	N/A
Parents:	Sikiru Onanuga, Aminat Onanuga
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Toyin Onanuga
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Tobiloba Zainab Onanuga
Occupation:	Journalist • Media Personality • Political Adviser
Net Worth:	$8 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Bayo Onanuga was born on June 20, 1957, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, to a family from the Anikilaya Ruling House.

His father, Alhaji Sikiru Onanuga, was a trader in the bustling markets of Ijebu-Ode, while his mother, Hajia Aminat Onanuga, managed the home and supported the family’s involvement in local community affairs.

He grew up in a Muslim household amid the cultural traditions of the Ijebu subgroup of the Yoruba ethnic group, with siblings whose details remain private, reflecting Onanuga’s preference for keeping family matters out of public view.

His early life in this historic Yoruba town was shaped by Islamic values and education. He attended Moslem Primary School in Ijebu-Ode from 1962 to 1969, followed by Muslim College Ijebu-Ode for secondary education, where he graduated in 1974 with a Grade One certificate.

After a brief one-year work period, he completed his A-Levels at Federal Government College, Odogbolu, from 1975 to 1977. In 1977, he entered the University of Lagos, studying Mass Communication and graduating with a second-class upper division degree in 1980. This strong foundation in journalism propelled his later career in Nigerian media and politics.

Career

Bayo Onanuga’s career, spanning more than four decades, reflects a blend of fearless journalism, media innovation, and public service.

He began at The Guardian newspaper in 1983 and quickly rose to deputy editor by 1989. During Nigeria’s turbulent political climate in 1993, he co-founded TheNEWS magazine and PM News alongside Dapo Olorunyomi, Babafemi Ojudu, and others.

These outlets became strongholds of pro-democracy journalism under military rule, publishing daring investigations into human rights abuses and electoral manipulation despite bans, raids, and detentions.

In 1999, Onanuga transitioned into digital media by launching TheNEWS online, one of Nigeria’s earliest steps into internet-based journalism. He later served as Editor-in-Chief of TheNEWS Group and CEO of Independent Communications Network Limited, the parent company of PM News and TheNEWS, solidifying his role as a key figure in independent Nigerian media.

His move into public service came in 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). There, he implemented structural reforms, digitized news operations, and revitalized the agency’s national relevance.

In 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed him Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, where Onanuga has overseen government communication through major policy shifts, including fuel subsidy removal and currency reforms. Known for his outspoken and often confrontational communication style, he continues to shape national discourse both in traditional media and online.

Over the years, his work has earned him honours such as the PEN Nigeria Freedom of Expression Award and recognition from the Committee to Protect Journalists for his courage and contribution to press freedom.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Bayo Onanuga
• Twitter: Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) / X
• Instagram: Bayo Onanuga (@adebayoonanuga)
• Facebook: Bayo Onanuga

Personal Life

Bayo Onanuga, born on June 20, 1957, turned 68 years old.

He is married to Toyin Onanuga, with no public records indicating previous marriages or divorces.

The couple has at least one known child, daughter Tobiloba Zainab Onanuga, who married Ayodele Olugbenga Oshobajo in a high-profile wedding ceremony in Lagos in December 2024.

Onanuga‘s height and dating history remain private, with no verified information available in public sources.

Net Worth

Bayo Onanuga‘s net worth is estimated at $8 million, reflecting his decades-long career as a pioneering journalist, media entrepreneur, and public servant.

His wealth stems from founding and leading TheNews magazine and PM News, serving as CEO of Independent Communications Network Limited, and his tenure as Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (2015–2019).

His current role as Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu further contributes to his financial standing.