Oseni Rufai: Combative journalist loathed by Nigerian politicians for being biased, emotion

Oseni Rufai has been trending online for the past couple of weeks for articulating what he deems is his forthright views on national issues. However, a lot of people, particularly politicians, describe him, his mannerism and his takes, particularly when interviewing people, as aggressive, combative and contentious.

Oseni Rufai has been trending online for the past couple of weeks for articulating what he deems is his forthright views on national issues. However, a lot of people, particularly politicians, describe him, his mannerism and his takes, particularly when interviewing people, as aggressive, combative and contentious.

While he is highly regarded for his insightful analysis and commentary on various issues affecting Nigeria and Africa, he is adjudged by some to be a divisive figure who is too emotional and wears his heart on his sleeve while performing his media duties.

So, let our readers find out why Rufai is considered to be a controversial person, despite him doing his job of grilling his interview subjects and highlighting his perspective on matters of politics, current affairs and social issues.

Table of Content hide 1 Oseni Rufai biography 2 Oseni Rufai career 3 Oseni Rufai’s net worth 4 Oseni Rufai controversies 5 Oseni Rufai family 6 Oseni Rufai age 7 Oseni Rufai tribe

Oseni Rufai biography

Oseni Rufai portrait

Oseni Rufai was born on April 8, 1980, in Lagos, the then-capital of Nigeria. He hails from Odogbolu in Ogun State. He lost his mother when he was a young child and his father passed away in 2022.

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He attended Federal Government College, Odogbolu, for his secondary school education. He subsequently obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Physiology and Reproductive Physiology from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Rufai has since furthered his education, acquiring certificates and diplomas in various fields. He got a certificate from the Institute of Change Management Nigeria (2016-2017), as well as a certificate in Entrepreneurship Management from the Lagos Business School (2018).

He is currently a journalist who is renowned for his intense approach to subjecting his interviewees on their toes and thought-provoking analysis on current subject matters dominating the media space.

In addition to his journalism career, Rufai is also passionate about youth development and community service. He has worked with several non-governmental organisations to empower young people and promote community development initiatives in Nigeria.

Oseni Rufai career

Oseni Rufai giving a talk

Rufai began his career in 2003 as a broadcast journalist with JFM Radio, Warri. While working at the radio station, he was appointed the Editor of the Next magazine, an entertainment and lifestyle publication, a position he held from 2007 to 2010. During this period, he was also a freelance writer for the now-defunct Prestige Newspaper.

After spending nine years at the station, he moved to Osun State in 2012 where he worked with Unique FM and Gold FM, both situated in the Ilesa area of the state. In that same year, he worked at the Ogun State Broadcasting Organisation (OGBC) as a radio presenter and at Ogun State Television as a sports analyst, respectively. He subsequently ported to Inspiration FM in the same year in review.

After engaging in some consultancy work such as the Media consultant to the Osun State government youth empowerment scheme (2012-2013) and Member Lagos State disability management think tank (2015-2017), Rufai returned to the media as an analyst on Africa Issues on BBC Bristol. In 2017, he was engaged by TV Continental as an analyst on small businesses and the economy.

In 2019, he joined Arise News, a cable television station, and has been one of the co-anchors of the channel’s breakfast flagship show, “The Morning Show”. He is also currently the anchor of “Host of impact with Rufai”, which airs on Voice of the People 90.3 FM, Lagos.

Asides from his work in the media, Rufai, as mentioned earlier, is also an acclaimed public speaker who has delivered speeches at numerous events. He was featured as a guest speaker at events held at Cambridge University, the University of Sussex and TED conferences in and outside Nigeria.

He has taught the English language at many study sites for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). He reportedly tutors more than 5,000 Nigerian students in various Nigerian universities through his network.

He has either founded or co-founded or is a member of the board of several ventures such as Edupear Education Innovation Learning, Loyalbonus, Eureka Kapital, EUREKA media and FasterCapital.

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Oseni Rufai’s net worth

Oseni Rufai talking at an event

Rufai’s net worth is thought to be between the range of N10 million to N20 million.

Oseni Rufai controversies

Oseni Rufai in an altercation with officers

Rufai had a clash with the All Progressive Congress (APC) after he insisted that the party’s candidate for the 2023 presidential election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, make himself available to the media for scrutiny on his plans for the country and provide responses on some controversial issues which plagued him. However, the APC Presidential Campaign Council saw the journalist’s stance as an affront to its candidate and party and reportedly asked Arise TV to dismiss him from his role. The TV station, however, stated that they cannot fire journalists because of their views.

Oseni also received criticism in August 2022 after he drove his vehicle through a Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lane, which is against the law of Lagos State. He claimed that he did not know it was a BRT lane and was misguided by his mobile map. After he was arrested by the police and escalated the matter on social media, he paid a N70,000 fine, as mandated by a court.

Oseni Rufai family

Rufai lost his mother many years ago as a teenager. His father passed away in August 2022 at the age of 86 after battling with a health condition.

Rufai is said to be married, but details and images of his wife and his probable children are not known to the public.

Oseni Rufai age

Rufai was born on April 8, 1980. Therefore, he is 42 years currently and will turn 43 in 2023.

Oseni Rufai tribe

Oseni Rufai is of the Yoruba tribe. He hails from Odogbolu, a Local Government Area in Ogun State.

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