Meet
An Anchor at Arise News Channel, co-anchoring Africa's premier Breakfast Show - The Morning Show.
Ayo is a multiple award-winning Broadcaster, Media and Communications Professional, Events Compere/Host, and Public Speaker.
A graduate of International Relations from Swansea University UK, she began her career in media on TV with Cool TV in 2014 as co-host on the popular talk show 'The Blog'. As part of her duties, she produced content for the daily show. On the same TV station now rebranded as WazobiaMax, she went on to co-host a daily news and lifestyle program 'Hello Nigeria'.
Over the years, Ayo has made a mark in her industry, marshalling mind-shifting conversations with national and international Government officials, Thought leaders and Captains of industry.
Ayo has had the privilege of interviewing CNN’s Richard Quest, Hollywood Actor, Eric Roberts, International Gospel Artistes Don Moen, Travis Greene, Sonnie Badu and Nathaniel Bassey. In addition, she has been privileged to interview US Activist Ilyasah Shabaz (Daughter of Malcom X), Dr Frederick Faseun, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, Tonye Cole (Co-Founder Sahara Energy), Tara Fela-Durotoye and Ade Bakare.
Furthermore, in radio broadcasting, Ayo co-hosted the primetime Breakfast Show on 99.3, Nigeria Info FM 'Morning Crossfire' (a 5-hour interactive daily show discussing a cocktail of topical issues including Politics, Business, Social Issues, as well as Life and Style, with audience engagement).
Ayo has made her mark in TV broadcasting over the years, and this has earned her a number of accolades and honours.
In 2023, she was named one of top 25 most powerful women in journalism in Nigeria. Prior to this, she had been listed on YNaija’s Most Influential Media personalities in 2021.
In 2016, Ayo won The Future Awards Africa Prize for On Air Personality of the year (Radio), the ELOY award for TV Presenter of the year and the 19ROM (Role Model) Awards for TV Presenter of the year.
As an Event Host, Ayo has made a mark in her industry, lending her skills and experiences on several platforms - both national and international, including The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Awards; The International Woman Leadership Conference (TIWLC), Dubai; Flour Mills of Nigeria Prize for Innovation; Stanbic IBTC conferences and seminars; the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) 20th Annual Conference, Annual UBA CEO Awards, State House Dinner for the outgoing Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, 2023, Black History Month events; to mention a few.
She has hosted big-budget events and productions including the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Awards, Access Bank / Diamond Bank Brand Identity Launch, Annual UBA CEO Awards, Stanbic IBTC’s Arts and The Acts Event (for High Networth Clients), Arise Women’s Conference, Stanbic IBTC Young Leadership Series and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Awards.
Notably, she was one of the hosts of God’s Children’s Great Talent, a talent competition for children and young people from across Nigeria with live auditions held in Lagos, Portharcourt and Abuja and produced for television, airing on a variety of national and international platforms, with a live grand finale at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, with over 2000 people in attendance.
When Ayo wields the microphone, she's known to captivate the audience with her excellence on stage, warm smile, distinct voice, impeccable diction and witty words.
PROFESSIONALISM
CLASS
EXCELLENCE
Ayo has a deep passion for women and their need to thrive. This reflects in her initiation of, and participation in several activities aimed at the promotion and empowerment of Nigerian women.
Prominent among these is her service in the capacity of ‘Super Mentor’ for the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) SheVentures program for women in business 2020. She also sits on the Board of WiCare Lekota Foundation (a non-profit for young widows) and Praying Women Circle (PWC).
Furthermore, Ayo expresses her passion for women by hosting ‘Conversations with One’ - sessions of real, honest and vulnerable conversations with young women.
Ayo applies her expertise to Training and Consultancy for private and corporate entities. She offers these services in areas including Effective Communication, Public Speaking, Broadcasting, Customer Relations, Public Relations and Brand Strategy. In her capacity as a Trainer, she has hosted and facilitated various training programs and has trained over 700 people through these platforms. She hosts the Public Speaking Program - a program for training men and women in the art of public speaking and effective communication.
The Public Speaking Program
Ayo is the Principal Trainer at the Public Speaking Program, a Program curated to help Professionals hone their skills in Public Speaking and Effective Communication. The first cohort of the Program held in July 2022, with delegates from industries including Marketing, Communications and Media, Health, Human Resource Management, and Law. The second cohort of the Program commenced in September 2022, recording a recurrent participation of Professionals in the Diaspora. She also organises trainings to cater specifically to the needs of Public Speakers, Event Comperes, and Moderators of Panel Sessions.
Partnerships and Facilitation
In July 2022, Ayo was invited to be one of the Facilitators at the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) Training for Broadcatsers and Journalists. She, along with Broadcast veteran Bimbo Oloyede, held training sessions on various aspects of broadcasting, with about 200 Broadcasters in attendance.
In August 2022, she trained members of staff of Gazmadu Studios on Professional Communication and Customer Relations Management.
Coaching and Consultation
Ayo also offers coaching and consultancy in Corporate Communications, Customer Relations Management, Brand Strategy and Management, and Public Relations. Her clientele ranges from corporate organizations to individuals across various walks of life.
Community Work
During the summer holiday of 2022, Ayo facilitated the Destiny Trust Kids Steam Boot camp 5.0. At this Program, Ayo trained about 300 children and teenagers on speaking confidently and communicating effectively.
Ayo convened the Public Speaking Open Evening in May 2022. The free virtual event recorded over 350 participants across various ranges of demography.
Her professionalism and service to humanity has earned her reputable accolades including the 2021 Community Icon – The Iconic Womanhood Community 100 Global Icons of 2021; Leading Ladies Africa Nigeria’s 100 Most Inspiring Women in 2019; Royal African Young Leadership Forum Award, 2021 (By His Royal Majesty, Ooni of Ife); among others.
Ayo enjoys meeting and working with people, reading, dancing and absolutely loves and values her family. She is happily married to musician Mairo Ese and they make their home in Lagos, Nigeria.