Omoyele Sowore Biography – Discover Omoyele Sowore’s journey from student activist to Sahara Reporters founder, presidential candidate, and fearless pro-democracy campaigner challenging Nigeria’s establishment.

Omoyele Sowore Biography: Nigeria’s Fearless Revolutionary

Omoyele Yele Sowore stands as one of Nigeria’s most fearless and controversial figures—a human rights activist, investigative journalist, politician, and pro-democracy campaigner who has dedicated his life to exposing corruption and demanding accountability from Nigerian leaders. Born on February 16, 1971, in Ese-Odo, Ondo State, Sowore’s journey from a poor fishing village to becoming the founder of Sahara Reporters, Africa’s most influential whistleblower platform, and a two-time presidential candidate represents an unwavering commitment to truth and justice that has earned him both devoted followers and powerful enemies.

With an estimated net worth of $10 million built primarily through Sahara Reporters, Sowore has created a media empire that has exposed countless corruption scandals, held politicians accountable, and given voice to the voiceless across Nigeria and beyond. His activism has come at significant personal cost—multiple arrests, detentions, torture, and assassination attempts. Yet each time authorities have tried to silence him, Sowore has emerged more determined, his rallying cry of “Take Back Nigeria” resonating with millions of young Nigerians frustrated with decades of misgovernance.

As the founder of the African Action Congress and presidential candidate in both the 2019 and 2023 Nigerian elections, Sowore represents a new generation of Nigerian politicians who reject the country’s corrupt political establishment and offer radical alternatives. His #RevolutionNow movement, which led to his arrest on treason charges in 2019, demonstrated his willingness to put his freedom on the line for his beliefs. Whether one views him as a courageous truth-teller or a reckless provocateur, Omoyele Sowore remains one of the most significant voices in contemporary Nigerian politics and civil society.

Early Life & Education: From Fishing Village to Student Radical

Omoyele Sowore was born on February 16, 1971, in Kiribo, a small village in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. He came into the world as the youngest of eighteen children born to his parents, who were peasant farmers struggling to survive in one of Nigeria’s poorest regions. Growing up in a large polygamous household with sixteen siblings taught young Sowore about hardship, resilience, and the harsh realities facing ordinary Nigerians.

From age twelve, Sowore learned to ride a motorcycle so he could go fishing in the lake every morning before school to help feed his large family. This early responsibility instilled in him a strong work ethic and firsthand understanding of poverty’s daily struggles. The experience of waking before dawn to fish, then attending school, then helping with farm work shaped his consciousness about Nigeria’s socio-economic inequalities and the challenges facing rural communities.

Sowore received his early education at a basic elementary school, then proceeded to Kiribo Community High School in Ondo State, before transferring to Okitipupa Ofedepe Comprehensive High School in Ondo State, where he completed his secondary education and obtained his WAEC certificate. During these formative years, his natural intelligence and curiosity marked him as exceptional, even as his family’s poverty limited their ability to provide educational resources.

In 1989, Sowore gained admission to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study Geography and Planning. This admission represented a major achievement for a poor boy from a Niger Delta fishing village. However, university would transform Sowore not primarily through academic study but through political awakening and activism that would define the rest of his life.

Almost immediately upon arriving at UNILAG, Sowore became involved in student activism. In 1989, during his first year, he participated in student demonstrations protesting the conditions of an International Monetary Fund loan of $120 million intended for a Nigerian oil pipeline. Among the IMF’s conditions was a requirement to reduce Nigeria’s universities from 28 to just 5—a devastating proposal that would have destroyed educational access for millions of young Nigerians. This protest marked Sowore’s entry into activism and his realization that student power could challenge government policies.

In 1992, Sowore was elected President of the University of Lagos Student Union Government, a position he held until 1994. As SUG President, he led anti-cultism campaigns to rid the campus of violent secret societies, and anti-corruption advocacy challenging university administrators and government policies. His tenure was marked by confrontational activism that put him at odds with both university authorities and the military government ruling Nigeria.

On June 12, 1992, Sowore led 5,100 students in a massive protest against the Nigerian military government. The demonstration turned violent when police opened fire on the protesters, killing seven students. Sowore himself was arrested and tortured by Nigerian security forces. This traumatic experience, rather than deterring him, seemed to harden his resolve and convince him that confronting power required courage and willingness to sacrifice.

He was deeply involved in the June 12, 1993, pro-democracy protests following the military government’s annulment of Moshood Abiola’s presidential election victory—widely considered Nigeria’s freest and fairest election. Sowore and thousands of other students and activists demanded that the military honor the election results. The protests resulted in numerous arrests, detentions, and life-threatening treatment by government officials. Sowore was among those repeatedly detained and brutalized.

Due to his activism, Sowore was expelled from UNILAG twice for political reasons. These expulsions extended his undergraduate program by two additional years, meaning he didn’t graduate until 1995—six years after he first enrolled. Despite the delays and disruptions, Sowore finally completed his Geography and Planning degree, though his real education had come from the streets, police cells, and protest movements where he learned about power, resistance, and the cost of speaking truth.

During his time as SUG President, Sowore also faced violent attacks from cult groups who viewed him as an enemy. Rival cult members allegedly injected him with a toxic chemical called “Lead” in an assassination attempt. In 1999, Sowore required emergency medical evacuation to the United States for treatment. This attack could have ended his life but instead marked his transition from Nigerian activism to international exile where he would build his media empire.

After completing his undergraduate degree and recovering from the cult attack, Sowore moved permanently to the United States. He enrolled at Columbia University in New York, where he earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration. This graduate education provided him with theoretical frameworks for understanding governance, public policy, and institutional reform—knowledge he would later apply to both his journalism and his political campaigns.

Career Journey: From Exile Journalist to Presidential Candidate

Omoyele Sowore’s career has been defined by uncompromising confrontation with Nigeria’s corrupt establishment, pursued through journalism, activism, and ultimately electoral politics.

Sahara Reporters: Building a Corruption-Fighting Empire

In 2006, while living in exile in New York City, Sowore founded Sahara Reporters in a small room in Manhattan. The concept was revolutionary: create an online platform where whistleblowers, journalists, and ordinary citizens could expose corruption, government misconduct, and human rights abuses without fear of persecution. At a time when traditional Nigerian media was largely controlled by government or business interests, Sahara Reporters offered an independent alternative.

The platform’s name—Sahara Reporters—was deliberately chosen. The Sahara Desert represents harshness, difficulty, and inhospitable conditions, much like Nigeria’s political environment for truth-tellers. Sowore envisioned his platform as an oasis of truth in a desert of lies and corruption.

Sahara Reporters’ model was simple but effective: accept anonymous tips and documents, verify information through multiple sources, then publish stories exposing wrongdoing by powerful Nigerians. The platform covered stories traditional media wouldn’t touch—corruption by governors, illegal deals by ministers, human rights abuses by security forces, and mismanagement by government agencies.

Crucially, Sahara Reporters adopted a strict policy: never accept money from the Nigerian government. This financial independence, maintained through grants from the Ford Foundation and Omidyar Foundation, allowed the platform to operate without the compromises that neutered traditional Nigerian media. While Nigerian newspapers and TV stations depended on government advertising and therefore pulled punches, Sahara Reporters could publish without fear of losing revenue.

The platform quickly gained a reputation for fearless, aggressive journalism. Stories published on Sahara Reporters regularly forced government responses, sparked investigations, and influenced public opinion. Politicians and government officials lived in fear of being exposed by Sahara Reporters, which operated on the principle that sunlight is the best disinfectant.

By the 2010s, Sahara Reporters had become required reading for anyone following Nigerian politics. Journalists, diplomats, activists, and ordinary citizens checked the site daily for breaking news about corruption and misconduct. The platform’s estimated value reached approximately $10 million, with daily earnings averaging $3,000 from advertising and other revenue sources.

However, Sahara Reporters also attracted criticism. Some accused Sowore of operating a blackmail operation, claiming he demanded payment from government officials and politicians to kill negative stories—accusations he vigorously denied. Others argued that Sahara Reporters’ aggressive approach sometimes sacrificed accuracy for impact, publishing unverified allegations that damaged reputations. Still others suggested the platform served foreign interests seeking to destabilize Nigeria.

Despite controversies, Sahara Reporters’ impact was undeniable. The platform helped expose the 2012 fuel subsidy scam involving billions of dollars in stolen government funds. It covered human rights abuses by security forces, including extrajudicial killings and torture. It provided crucial coverage during the 2011 and 2015 elections, helping document fraud and violence. By giving voice to whistleblowers and activists who risked their lives to expose wrongdoing, Sahara Reporters contributed meaningfully to Nigerian democracy and accountability.

Academic Career

Alongside his journalism, Sowore maintained an academic career in the United States. He worked as a lecturer teaching Modern African History at the City University of New York and Post-Colonial African History at the School of Art, New York. These teaching positions provided income, academic credibility, and platforms to share his perspectives on African politics and development with American students. His courses emphasized themes of colonialism’s lasting impacts, post-independence governance failures, and the struggles for democracy and accountability across Africa.

Entry into Electoral Politics: The 2019 Presidential Campaign

By 2018, after more than a decade exposing corruption through Sahara Reporters, Sowore concluded that journalism alone couldn’t transform Nigeria. Real change required taking power through electoral politics. In February 2018, he announced his intention to run for president in the 2019 Nigerian general election.

In August 2018, Sowore founded a new political party, the African Action Congress (AAC), built on principles of anti-corruption, youth empowerment, economic restructuring, and radical reform. In October 2018, following successful primary elections at the AAC’s national convention, Sowore emerged unchallenged as the party’s presidential candidate.

Sowore’s 2019 campaign focused on issues resonating with young, educated, urban Nigerians frustrated with the country’s gerontocratic political establishment. His platform emphasized free education at all levels, universal healthcare, restructuring Nigeria’s federal system, ending police brutality, fighting corruption aggressively, and empowering youth participation in governance.

He embarked on an ambitious campaign, touring Nigerian states, meeting traditional rulers including the Emir of Kano, consulting with intellectuals like Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, and holding rallies across the country. He also conducted fundraising tours internationally, visiting the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia to solicit support from Nigerians in the diaspora.

However, Sowore’s campaign faced enormous obstacles. The AAC had no institutional machinery, no godfathers, no access to the massive financial resources available to establishment parties, and limited media coverage. Despite his personal fame through Sahara Reporters, translating that recognition into electoral support proved difficult.

In the February 2019 presidential election, incumbent Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress won with 15,191,847 votes. Sowore placed fifth with just 33,953 votes, ahead of some newer entrants like Fela Durotoye (16,779 votes) and Kingsley Moghalu (21,886 votes) but nowhere near the top candidates. While disappointing, the result wasn’t surprising given Nigeria’s political realities where money, ethnic calculations, and entrenched party structures dominate elections.

The #RevolutionNow Movement and Arrest

Undeterred by electoral defeat, Sowore launched his most audacious action yet. On August 5, 2019, he called for nationwide protests under the banner #RevolutionNow, demanding an end to bad governance, corruption, and human rights abuses. The movement aimed to mobilize millions of Nigerians to occupy streets across the country in sustained demonstrations until the government addressed their grievances.

The Buhari administration viewed #RevolutionNow as a serious threat. On August 3, 2019—just two days before the planned protests—armed operatives of the Department of State Services raided Sowore’s hotel room in Lagos and arrested him. He was charged with treason, money laundering, and cyberstalking—serious charges carrying potential death penalty.

Sowore was detained at DSS facilities in Abuja for months, held in solitary confinement in violation of court orders granting him bail. He described his treatment as torture, locked in a dark room without sunlight, denied access to family, lawyers, and medical care. He pointed out the bitter irony that “Boko Haram commanders who are engaged in high-level terrorism have access to telephone, TV and even cable in their cells” while he was denied such basic amenities.

On December 5, 2019, after intense domestic and international pressure, including from Amnesty International, the U.S. State Department, and human rights organizations worldwide, a court ordered Sowore’s release. However, the next day, in a dramatic courtroom scene captured on video and shared worldwide, DSS operatives invaded the courtroom and re-arrested Sowore despite the judge’s order. The brazen disregard for judicial authority shocked observers and highlighted Nigeria’s democratic backsliding.

Sowore was finally released on December 24, 2019—Christmas Eve—after 125 days in detention. His release came with strict bail conditions and ongoing legal proceedings. The charges against him were not dropped, leaving the threat of prosecution hanging over him.

On December 8, 2021, a Federal High Court ordered the DSS to pay Sowore ₦2 million for unlawfully seizing his mobile phone during his 2019 arrest—a small victory recognizing the rights violations he endured.

Continued Arrests and Police Brutality

Sowore’s 2019 detention didn’t end his confrontations with Nigerian security forces. On January 1, 2021, he was arrested again during a protest in Abuja, this time beaten by police officers. On May 31, 2021, during another protest in Abuja, a police officer shot and wounded Sowore. These incidents demonstrated that Nigerian authorities viewed Sowore as a permanent threat requiring suppression through any means necessary.

In September 2024, Sowore was briefly detained by immigration authorities at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos upon returning from the United States. His passport was confiscated based on directives from the DSS, and he was questioned about his planned #FearlessInOctober protest movement. He was released after a brief detention.

Most recently, in August 2025, Sowore was arrested and detained for 48 hours by police following allegations of forgery and criminal defamation. The arrest came after Sowore insisted on transparency about the charges before appearing at police headquarters. Following interrogation by Deputy Commissioner Akin Fakorede, a former SARS officer, and presentation of petitions including one from an assistant commissioner allegedly close to the Inspector-General of Police, Sowore was detained despite procedural breaches criticized by lawyers and activists. He was released on August 8, 2025, declaring “the battle has just begun” and vowing never to “succumb to repression and oppression by the authorities.”

The 2023 Presidential Campaign

Despite his 2019 electoral disappointment and ongoing legal troubles, Sowore ran for president again in the 2023 Nigerian general election under the AAC banner. His 2023 campaign faced internal party challenges, with one AAC faction claiming Sowore had been expelled from the party in 2019 for constitutional violations, financial misappropriation, and anti-party activities. However, Sowore contested these claims and proceeded with his candidacy.

In the February 2023 presidential election, Sowore performed even worse than 2019, receiving only 14,608 votes nationwide. He described the election as a “selection” rather than an election, alleging massive fraud and irregularities. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress was declared winner in a controversial election that opposition parties challenged as stolen.

Major Achievements: Fighting Corruption Through Media and Activism

Omoyele Sowore’s achievements lie not in government positions held or policies implemented, but in his impact on Nigeria’s civic space, accountability mechanisms, and political discourse.

Founding Sahara Reporters: Creating Africa’s most influential whistleblower platform represents Sowore’s greatest achievement. Sahara Reporters has exposed countless corruption scandals, held powerful people accountable, and given voice to marginalized Nigerians. The platform’s estimated $10 million value reflects both its commercial success and its massive influence on Nigerian politics and society.

PEN America Freedom to Write Award (2017): This prestigious award recognizes writers who have been persecuted for their work. Sowore received it for his courageous journalism through Sahara Reporters despite threats, attacks, and legal persecution.

Committee to Protect Journalists International Press Freedom Award (2017): This honor from one of the world’s leading press freedom organizations recognized Sowore’s contributions to journalism and his willingness to risk his safety to expose corruption and hold power accountable.

Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards Finalist (2016): Being nominated for this award demonstrated international recognition of Sowore’s work defending free expression and challenging censorship in Nigeria.

Student Movement Leadership: As UNILAG SUG President (1992-1994), Sowore led significant anti-military rule protests, anti-corruption campaigns, and anti-cultism efforts that helped shape Nigerian student activism for decades.

#RevolutionNow Movement: While controversial and ultimately unsuccessful in achieving its immediate goals, #RevolutionNow demonstrated Sowore’s ability to mobilize public dissent and challenge government through mass action. The movement inspired young Nigerians and contributed to growing demands for accountability.

Two Presidential Campaigns: Running for president in 2019 and 2023, while electorally unsuccessful, introduced alternative political perspectives into Nigerian discourse and demonstrated that candidates outside the establishment could participate in presidential elections.

Surviving Multiple Assassination Attempts: The fact that Sowore survived the 1999 cult attack where he was injected with poison, multiple arrests and detentions involving torture, and a 2021 police shooting demonstrates extraordinary resilience and commitment to his cause.

Influencing Public Discourse: Through Sahara Reporters and his activism, Sowore has significantly influenced how Nigerians discuss corruption, governance, and accountability. Phrases like “Take Back Nigeria” and concepts of radical youth-led change entered mainstream political vocabulary partly through his advocacy.

Personal Life: Family, Faith, and the Cost of Activism

Despite his public visibility, Omoyele Sowore has maintained considerable privacy about his personal life, particularly his family, to protect them from the dangers associated with his activism.

Sowore is married to Opeyemi Sowore (née Oluwole), whom he married in 2004. Opeyemi has been described as a strong advocate for her husband during his multiple detentions and legal battles. The couple resides in Haworth, New Jersey, USA, where they have built a life despite Sowore’s frequent travels to Nigeria for political and activist work.

Together, Omoyele and Opeyemi have children, including at least one son, though specific details about the number and identities of their children are kept private for security reasons. Sowore deliberately excludes his family from his political activities and campaigns to protect them from potential retaliation by his numerous political enemies.

Living primarily in the United States while constantly engaging in Nigerian politics creates challenges for family life. Sowore’s wife and children experience his absences during extended periods in Nigeria, particularly during campaigns and protests. They also endure the anxiety of knowing he faces arrest, violence, and potential death each time he returns to Nigeria.

Sowore’s faith and religious identity have occasionally been discussed, though he tends to keep spiritual matters private. Coming from a region with mixed Christian and traditional religious practices, Sowore’s worldview appears shaped more by political ideology and social justice principles than by religious doctrine.

The personal cost of Sowore’s activism extends beyond family separation. He has survived torture, assassination attempts, and years of legal battles. He has been unable to freely visit Nigeria without risk of arrest. He has made powerful enemies including governors, senators, security chiefs, and even presidents—people with resources to harm him or his family. Despite these dangers, he continues his activism, suggesting either extraordinary courage or a certain recklessness, depending on one’s perspective.

Net Worth & Lifestyle: The Business of Revolution

Omoyele Sowore’s estimated net worth is approximately $10 million, primarily derived from Sahara Reporters’ value and other investments. This wealth places him among Nigeria’s more successful media entrepreneurs, though far below the billionaire politicians who dominate Nigerian politics.

His income sources include:

Sahara Reporters: The platform generates estimated daily earnings of $3,000, or approximately $1.1 million annually, from advertising revenue, with additional income from grants provided by the Ford Foundation and Omidyar Foundation. As founder and publisher, Sowore receives substantial income from the operation.

Academic Salaries: His teaching positions at City University of New York and School of Art, New York provide steady academic income, though likely modest compared to his media earnings.

Speaking Engagements: As a well-known activist and political figure, Sowore receives fees for speaking at conferences, universities, and activist events both in Nigeria and internationally.

Investments: Having lived in the United States for over two decades, Sowore likely has invested in real estate or other ventures, though specific details are not publicly disclosed.

Compared to Nigerian politicians who amass fortunes through corruption, Sowore’s $10 million net worth is modest. However, compared to most Nigerian journalists and activists who struggle financially, it represents significant success. Critics have occasionally suggested this wealth contradicts his revolutionary rhetoric, arguing that a true radical shouldn’t profit from exposing corruption. Sowore would likely respond that media operations require funding, and financial independence from government allows Sahara Reporters to operate without compromise.

Sowore’s lifestyle reflects a mix of comfortable American middle-class living and activism. He resides in Haworth, New Jersey, an affluent suburban community, maintaining a lifestyle his revolutionary rhetoric might seem to contradict. However, he travels frequently to Nigeria, often staying in modest accommodations and participating in protests alongside ordinary citizens. His social media presence shows him in both contexts—suburban American life with family and front-line protests in Nigerian streets.

Recent News & Trends: Continuing the Fight

Throughout 2024-2025, Omoyele Sowore has remained active in Nigerian politics and civil society, continuing to challenge the establishment despite numerous obstacles.

His brief detention in August 2025 following allegations of forgery and criminal defamation demonstrated that Nigerian authorities still view him as a threat requiring suppression. His release after 48 hours, following domestic and international pressure, showed that while authorities can arrest him, they struggle to justify prolonged detention given his international profile and support.

In August 2025, Sowore participated in the 12th Ibadan City Marathon, demonstrating his commitment to staying connected with grassroots Nigerians and showing solidarity with community initiatives. His participation in the marathon, alongside past winners and hundreds of other runners, showed a different side of his activism—engaging with ordinary Nigerians through cultural and sporting events rather than only through protests.

Looking toward the 2027 presidential election, speculation exists about whether Sowore will run for a third time. BBNaija star Phyna publicly endorsed him in July 2025, suggesting Peter Obi “is not a saint” and declaring Sowore her preferred candidate. While Sowore hasn’t officially declared his 2027 intentions, his continued activism and political engagement suggest he remains interested in electoral politics.

Sowore continues operating Sahara Reporters, which remains influential in exposing corruption and government misconduct. The platform’s coverage of the Tinubu administration has been characteristically aggressive, continuing its tradition of holding power accountable regardless of who occupies office.

Legacy & Impact: Nigeria’s Revolutionary Conscience

Omoyele Sowore’s legacy is complex and contested. To supporters, he represents courageous resistance against corruption and tyranny. To critics, he’s a provocateur whose reckless rhetoric endangers democratic stability. What’s undeniable is his significant impact on Nigerian political discourse and civil society.

Media Revolution: Sahara Reporters fundamentally changed Nigerian journalism by demonstrating that independent, fearless reporting was possible and could have massive impact. The platform inspired other digital media outlets and showed that technology could bypass traditional gatekeepers.

Youth Political Awakening: Sowore’s campaigns and activism have inspired countless young Nigerians to become politically engaged. While his electoral results were disappointing, his rhetoric about youth empowerment and challenging the gerontocracy resonates with frustrated young people seeking alternatives to establishment politics.

Normalizing Dissent: In a country where criticizing government can lead to arrest, torture, or death, Sowore’s persistent activism normalizes dissent and demonstrates that resistance is possible. Each time he’s arrested and released, each time he survives and returns to activism, he shows others that power can be challenged.

Accountability Advocacy: Through Sahara Reporters’ investigations and his political campaigns, Sowore has consistently advocated for accountability, transparency, and anti-corruption measures. While systemic change remains elusive, his advocacy contributes to a political culture that increasingly demands accountability from leaders.

International Attention: Sowore’s arrests and persecution have drawn international attention to Nigeria’s human rights situation, democratic backsliding, and government repression of dissent. His profile as an internationally recognized activist makes it harder for Nigerian authorities to completely silence him.

Radical Alternative: Whether one agrees with his politics or not, Sowore represents a genuine radical alternative to Nigeria’s establishment parties. His campaigns offer Nigerians who reject both PDP and APC a political home, even if that home has attracted relatively few voters so far.

Controversial Methods: Sowore’s critics argue his confrontational style, provocative rhetoric, and willingness to call for “revolution” are dangerous and potentially destabilizing. Some suggest he’s more interested in martyrdom and international celebrity than practical political change. Others accuse him of hypocrisy—living comfortably in America while calling for revolution in Nigeria.

Conclusion: The Revolution Continues

At 54 years old, Omoyele Sowore shows no signs of moderating his activism or abandoning his fight against Nigeria’s corrupt establishment. From that poor fishing village in Ondo State to the corridors of Columbia University, from the streets of Lagos where he led protests to DSS detention cells where he was tortured, from the small Manhattan room where he founded Sahara Reporters to presidential campaign rallies across Nigeria, his journey has been extraordinary.

Whether one views him as a hero or troublemaker, visionary or provocateur, Sowore represents something increasingly rare in Nigerian politics: a public figure willing to consistently challenge power regardless of personal cost. He has survived assassination attempts, torture, multiple arrests, and years of legal persecution. Each time authorities tried to break him, he emerged more determined.

His electoral failures suggest that revolutionary rhetoric doesn’t translate easily into electoral success in Nigeria, where ethnic calculations, money politics, and entrenched party structures dominate. However, electoral victory may not be the primary measure of Sowore’s impact. Through Sahara Reporters, through his protests, through his speeches and campaigns, he has influenced how millions of Nigerians think about corruption, accountability, and the possibility of change.

For young Nigerians frustrated with decades of misrule, Sowore represents possibility—the possibility that someone from humble origins can challenge the establishment, that speaking truth to power is worth the cost, that revolution might someday be possible. For the establishment, he represents threat—a voice that refuses silencing, a platform that refuses compromise, an activist who refuses co-optation.

As Nigeria continues struggling with corruption, insecurity, economic crisis, and democratic backsliding, voices like Sowore’s become increasingly important. Whether through journalism, activism, or politics, he continues fighting for a better Nigeria—a Nigeria free from corruption, accountable to its citizens, and offering opportunity to all rather than just the connected elite.

His story is far from over. The revolution he calls for hasn’t arrived, but the conversation he started continues. The establishment he challenges remains powerful, but their legitimacy erodes with each scandal Sahara Reporters exposes. Whether Sowore ultimately succeeds in transforming Nigeria or remains a perpetual gadfly to power, his impact on Nigerian politics and civil society is already significant and enduring. The revolution, as he would say, continues.

FAQs About Omoyele Sowore

Q1: Who is Omoyele Sowore? Omoyele Sowore is a Nigerian human rights activist, investigative journalist, politician, and founder of Sahara Reporters. He ran as the African Action Congress presidential candidate in both 2019 and 2023 and is known for his #RevolutionNow movement and fearless criticism of Nigerian government corruption.

Q2: When and where was Omoyele Sowore born? Omoyele Sowore was born on February 16, 1971, in Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. He is currently 54 years old as of 2025.

Q3: What is Sahara Reporters? Sahara Reporters is an online investigative journalism platform founded by Sowore in 2006 in New York City. It focuses on exposing corruption, government misconduct, and human rights violations in Nigeria. The platform is estimated to be worth approximately $10 million.

Q4: Why was Sowore arrested in 2019? Sowore was arrested by the Department of State Services on August 3, 2019, just two days before his planned #RevolutionNow nationwide protests. He was charged with treason, money laundering, and cyberstalking. He was detained for 125 days before being released on December 24, 2019.

Q5: What is Omoyele Sowore’s educational background? Sowore studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos from 1989 to 1995 (extended by two years due to his activism and two expulsions). He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York.

Q6: Is Omoyele Sowore married? Yes, Omoyele Sowore is married to Opeyemi Sowore (née Oluwole). They married in 2004 and have children together. The family resides in Haworth, New Jersey, USA, though Sowore keeps details about his family private for security reasons.

Q7: What is Omoyele Sowore’s net worth? Sowore’s estimated net worth is approximately $10 million as of 2025, primarily from Sahara Reporters’ value and his other business investments. Sahara Reporters generates an estimated $3,000 daily or approximately $1.1 million annually.

Q8: How many times has Sowore run for president? Sowore has run for president twice—in 2019 where he received 33,953 votes, and in 2023 where he received only 14,608 votes. Both times he ran under the African Action Congress party banner.

Q9: What awards has Omoyele Sowore received? Sowore has received several prestigious awards including the PEN America Freedom to Write Award (2017), the Committee to Protect Journalists’ International Press Freedom Award (2017), and was a finalist for the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards (2016).

Q10: Where does Omoyele Sowore currently live? Sowore currently resides in Haworth, New Jersey, USA, with his family, though he frequently travels to Nigeria for political activities, protests, and activism. He also teaches at City University of New York and the School of Art, New York.