Paul Adepoju: Bridging African Science and Journalism

In the world of journalism, most reporters are generalists—they know a little bit about everything. But when a global health crisis hits, or a new breakthrough in genetics is announced, "knowing a little" isn't enough.

That is where Paul Adepoju changes the game. He isn't just a journalist who covers science; he is a scientist who became a journalist. For students looking to understand the power of niche reporting in Nigeria, Adepoju is the benchmark.

The Origin Story: The Scientist’s Eye

Adepoju’s background sets him apart from 99% of the press pool. He holds a PhD in Cell Biology & Genetics from the University of Ibadan and still teaches genetics and histopathology at Babcock University.

This academic grounding gives him a "superpower" in the newsroom. While other reporters are scrambling to find an expert to explain a new study, Adepoju can read the raw data himself. He understands the language of the lab, which allows him to cut through the PR fluff and report on what is actually happening.

The Beat: African Agency in Global Science

Adepoju has carved out a massive space for himself covering health, science, and technology across Africa. His work appears in the world's most prestigious science publications, including Nature, The Lancet, CNN, and Devex.

But he doesn’t just parrot international talking points. His reporting centers on African agency:

Infectious Disease: He has done deep-dive reporting on HIV (specifically personalized medicine in South Africa) and Lassa Fever, moving beyond fear-mongering to explain the science of the outbreaks.

Malaria & Equity: He frequently covers the gap between Western promises and African realities, such as the delays in getting effective malaria treatments into local clinics.

Local Tech: Through his platform HealthNews.NG, he tracks how Nigerian startups are using technology to solve old healthcare problems.

Essential Reading

To understand his style—authoritative yet accessible—you should look at these pieces:

"Why the wait for effective newborn malaria treatment?" (SciDev.Net): A masterclass in explaining how bureaucracy kills. He breaks down why life-saving drugs take so long to reach the infants who need them.
"Can Africa's drug regulators be both fast and trusted?" (Devex): Written during the COVID-19 vaccine race, this article analyzed the delicate balance Nigerian regulators face between speed and safety.

The Lesson for Us

Paul Adepoju is the ultimate proof that specialization pays off. He didn't try to be a "jack of all trades." He doubled down on his specific knowledge (science) and used it to become indispensable.

For any media student, the lesson is clear: Find your niche, master it, and you can become the bridge between complex information and the people who need to understand it.