Nigerianische Finalistin im Interview

Interview with Melony Ishola – Winner of the First African Reporter Slam
“This should take the world by storm”
Headliner: Melony, congratulations again on winning the first-ever African Reporter Slam in Cape Town on June 6, organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Sub-Saharan African Media Programme! Looking back, what stands out the most from that experience?
Melony: It was truly a humbling experience—really humbling. At first, I almost didn’t even apply for the visa to South Africa, let alone consider attending. Not because I didn’t want to, or because I thought I wasn’t capable, but because I was in a headspace that didn’t allow me to engage with the world. I had just lost my mom, who was my fortress and backbone—after God and my husband. She had lived with me for three years until her passing in April. The competition, Reporter Slam, was in June, which meant I would have to prepare throughout May, and at the time, I just wasn’t in the right space. But I’m so thankful I went through with it. I didn’t even figure out what story I was going to tell until just days before the contest. Joe (Jochen Markett) had tried to help during the workshop in April, just days before I lost my mom, and I guess, eventually, I settled into it.
Looking back, what stands out for me the most is that I took a bet on myself. That, in itself, was a huge step. It was a competition, and you’d expect to put your best foot forward—but in that moment, I didn’t feel like I had any footing at all, given where I was mentally and emotionally. Still, I decided to go with the flow, and in the process, I learned a valuable lesson: I can always bet on myself. And I will continue to do so.
Headliner: That’s an incredible story. Thank you for having the courage to keep moving forward. In the end, you chose to present „your biggest failure in live journalism”—what made you pick that particular story?
Melony: We often celebrate success—the adrenaline rush, the dopamine hit, the joy of being recognised. We all love to be celebrated, but that’s not the full picture of success. For me, staying authentic to my journey meant acknowledging both the highs and the struggles. I’ve spent much of my career behind the scenes—not because my job required it, but because, for the longest time, I wasn’t getting the breakthroughs I wanted. I was putting in the work, doing everything I was supposed to do, yet the right opportunities weren’t showing up. The right contracts, the right remuneration—they just weren’t coming. I’ve even had jobs where the contracts didn’t reflect what was promised. And at one particular media organisation—the last one before where I currently work—it got even worse.
But that experience taught me something invaluable: to let go of the shame. My struggle was real, and I had to own it. I also realised that I didn’t have to keep having that kind of experience. I had spent nearly two decades investing, toiling, working, and dedicating myself to my craft. I knew I deserved success. And I haven’t lost that sense of clarity. In fact, I realised that people need to talk about their most vulnerable moments. Sometimes, those moments are where we find our greatest strength—where we discover our truest selves. There’s a saying: You cannot fear the fall when you’re already on the ground. I figured I was already down, so why not share what I had learned?
That period in my life was bleak—the future looked uncertain—but I refused to let it keep me down. Instead, it gave me courage and hope. With God’s help, I found a way to turn things around. And I’ve come to believe that success isn’t just about the wins. It’s about the entire journey—the failures, the setbacks, the lessons learned along the way. My story in the Nigerian media space hasn’t been one of overnight success. If anything, it’s been more about struggles, setbacks, and being the underdog. But even with the challenges—like being underpaid or undervalued—I’ve continued to push forward as I believed I should for the dedication and the investment that I put into my career.
Headliner: As an award-winning multimedia journalist in Nigeria, you have looked into many different media formats. How did it feel to step onto a live stage and engage directly with an audience?
Melony: Normally, you’d do a mic check for an event like this around six in the evening. That was the plan in Cape Town. But when it was my turn, it caught me off guard—I wasn’t ready. Anyone who saw me practicing just before we went live probably wouldn’t have thought much of my presentation. Honestly, even I had my doubts. But then I found a quiet spot in the building, and I practiced. I rehearsed, then rehearsed again, and again. That experience taught me something about public speaking: until you believe in your story, it’s hard for your audience to believe in it too. At some point, I broke through. I started believing my own story. And the moment that happened, it became easy to deliver it on stage. I was my first audience, and once I accepted and internalised my story, performing it became second nature—I was simply recreating it on stage.
Headliner: Did you find yourself adapting your storytelling style to a South African audience and if so how? Or did you trust in the power of the relatability of your story to resonate with a South African audience?
Melony: I’d say the latter. If you’ve truly worked in this field, you’ve had your fair share of embarrassing moments—those times when you look back and think, That wasn’t me. Can someone remove my name from that story? (Laughs) We’ve all had moments where we felt we didn’t get it right. So, I decided to lean into authenticity. Joe encouraged us to bring our most original selves forward, and I figured that if I did that, my story would be relatable—not just to journalists, but to anyone. Because in the grander field of life, we’ve all experienced moments we’re not proud of, right? That shared human experience is what I built my story on tonight.
Headliner: Tonight’s event brings a new audience and a different atmosphere. What are your expectations?
Melony: Should I run away? I hope not. Can I still run away? (Laughs) I mean, I’m not German. I don’t speak German. And I have no real ties to Germany—except, of course, through Christine, Jochen, Hendrik, and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. But I have to say, the reception has been incredibly warm, and I’m truly grateful for that.
That said, I’ve always believed in not viewing the world through a singular lens. If I had, I might have walked into this experience with a lot of preconceived notions—like the common stereotype that Germans are closed people. Instead, I found myself asking: What am I going to say on that stage? A stage filled with almost 100% Germans—or at least, predominantly Europeans—people who don’t look like me, don’t speak like me, haven’t lived my experiences, and haven’t practiced journalism the way I have.
But I’m not one to back down. And I’m hoping that gut feeling serves me well today. Otherwise, this would just be another conversation—but I want it to be more than that. I want it to mean something by the end of this competition. So, I choose to be hopeful. I choose not to see the audience as just “European” or just “German.” At the core, we’re all human. We all love stories. We all appreciate art. And just as I’ve stepped onto that stage with an open mind, I believe they’ve come into this space with open minds too. They may not be familiar to me, and I may not speak their language, but I trust that my faith in this moment will lead to something meaningful.
Headliner: We’re sure you'll be fine. So who are we going to see? Are we going to see your authentic self? Is that how you will win over a predominantly German audience in the room?
Melony: It goes without saying that Nigerians are naturally proud people—we like to take up space, but it’s not something we do intentionally. It’s just who we are. Even across the African continent, you’ll find that some of our fellow Africans sometimes feel we’re a bit too much to handle. (Laughs)
But the truth is, we’re not trying to do anything extraordinary—we’re simply being ourselves. And that’s how I’ve always been programmed: to show up as my authentic self. So tonight, more than anything, I hope that my most original self shines through.
Headliner: What do you enjoy most about the Reporter Slam format?
Melony: Music! If I didn’t say that, you should be disappointed. (Laughs) The music in Cape Town was incredibly calming. The performance of Jabulile Majola was pure magic. The way he delivered his music was so effortless. And beyond creating a magical atmosphere, I think music has a way of calming the nerves—especially in a high-stakes setting like this. After all, this is a competition.
For me, the music helped take my mind off the pressure and allowed me to just enjoy the moment while waiting for my turn. The competition follows a sort of Olympic motto—where, yes, winning matters, but the experience itself is just as important. That’s something I reminded my colleagues back home when I finally started sharing about this journey.
I’ve had an intense few months, and I hadn’t been able to fully express what was happening until recently. When I told my team and a few friends, of course, they said, It’s all about winning! But for me, just getting to Germany was already a win. Being called back for the finale? That was another win. So, my focus has been on experiencing and enjoying every moment of this journey. And honestly, that’s what truly matters.
Headliner: What do you think is the biggest value of this kind of storytelling for journalists?
Melony: I think it has finally given us our crown on the world stage—as the most authentic storytellers there are. Journalists don’t tell fictional stories. The work we do often comes at a great cost—sometimes in blood and sweat—to report the truth.
I remember covering a story in the northern part of my country, a region plagued by insecurity and uncertainty. Just over 24 hours after I traveled a particular road, armed bandits abducted people from five vehicles along the same route I had just taken. That’s the kind of risk we take to pursue stories that matter. I was aware of the danger. I knew the risk. I’m grateful I wasn’t abducted—but what if I had been? The reality is, some of our colleagues have lost their lives doing this work. This isn’t Netflix. It’s not fiction. These are real people, real lives, real sacrifices. And it’s taking its toll.
That’s why I believe this moment—this recognition—matters. Journalism is finally being acknowledged for what it is: a profession built on truth, courage, and sacrifice. And I truly believe this should take the world by storm. I’m rooting for Reporter Slam, really. I am.
Headliner: In May, thanks to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Sub-Saharan African Media Programme, you'll be bringing the first Reporter Slam to Nigeria. How do you think Nigerian journalists and audiences will receive the format?
Melony: We’re here to party! (Laughs and breaks into a dance) But seriously, it’s a big deal. Lagos isn’t just the most populous city in Nigeria—it’s more populous than some entire African countries. It’s also one of the fastest-growing cities on the continent. So, if we do the groundwork properly, I can see this event blowing up and becoming something massive. And that thought makes me ecstatic.
More importantly, bringing it home means giving Nigerians a real opportunity—to contest, to win, and to experience this on their own soil. When I went to South Africa, many people back home didn’t fully grasp what I was going for. But in my mind, it was huge—and it still is.
Now, for the first time, I won’t have to explain it with words alone. Lagos will show them. It will bring people into the same space I experienced, the space that transformed me. And I hope it ignites a fire that spreads across the continent. So yes, I’m looking forward to Lagos working its magic!
Headliner And with that you've almost answered our final question to you. In Nigeria – like in Cape Town – we will see several African countries coming together. Do you think we’ll see another Nigerian winner taking the crown from you?
Melony: I pray, because I can’t say anything with absolute certainty. When I was in South Africa, I was on that stage, and I won, it was in another man’s land. That experience made me realise there’s always room for someone else to come from behind and overtake. It’s like the Olympics or football—sometimes teams come to your home turf and still manage to beat you. So, while I’m hopeful, I understand that anything can happen.
Nigeria is often called the "giant of Africa," though, to be honest, that doesn’t always feel true with the state of our economy and other challenges we face. But despite all of that, I’m hoping that the true spirit of being Nigerian will shine through on that stage. That’s what I’m praying for.
Thank you for your time, Melony! We look forward to seeing you on stage.
Headliner’s Christine conducted the interview with Melony just hours before she took the stage. You can watch her full performance here.