Ikenna Azuike

Ikenna Azuike started his career as a lawyer, but is now a sought-after journalist, presenter, speaker and filmmaker. Ikenna was born in Lagos, Nigeria, grew up in the UK, studied law in the UK and France and has been living in The Netherlands with his family since 2004.

After working as a lawyer in London, Singapore, New York and Amsterdam, he decided to change course and follow his passions for broadcasting and social activism. Together with his wife, Mette te Velde, he co-founded the Strawberry Earth Foundation to fast forward our transition towards a sustainable planet and he created the satirical news show What’s Up Africa. This show was subsequently commissioned by the BBC, aired on BBC World News television for 6 seasons, shortlisted for an Association of International Broadcasters Award, and amassed over half a million followers on social media.

Since 2017 Ikenna has worked on a variety of longer form journalistic projects through his own production company Jollof Rice Productions B.V. For example, he made the 6-part travel series ‘Planeet Nigeria‘ (Planet Nigeria) for BNNVARA; the documentary ‘De Post-Racistische Planeet’ (The Post-Racist Planet) for VPRO Tegenlicht; and 6-part travel docudrama ‘De Afro-Europeaan’ (The Afro-European) for VPRO. In addition to his work as a journalist and broadcaster, Ikenna sits on the Board of Tony’s Chocolonely Mission Foundation B.V. and Cinetree Foundation.

Ikenna is regularly invited to host national and international events where he interviews professionally and enthusiastically with his trademark disarming charm and sense of humour. Whether he is talking to politicians and executives or activists and students, and whether the subject matter is humanitarian rights, sustainability, international finance, digital life, or contemporary art, Ikenna is at ease, seeing every conversation as an opportunity to learn something new.