Empowering Voices: The Inspiring Journey of Maryann Duke-Okon, Nigeria’s Renowned Broadcast Journalist

Maryann Duke-Okon, also widely recognized by her professional aliases Mimi Okon and Mary-Ann Okon, is a highly accomplished Nigerian broadcast journalist, seasoned news anchor, producer, and a dedicated advocate for women’s rights. With nearly two decades of extensive experience in the media industry, she has established herself as a prominent voice in Nigerian journalism and beyond. Throughout her illustrious career, Maryann has earned a reputation for her incisive and insightful political reporting, consistently delivering nuanced analysis on key national and international issues. Her commitment to excellence and integrity in journalism has garnered widespread respect from colleagues, industry peers and audiences alike.  In addition to her role as a trusted news presenter, she is an accomplished producer, known for creating compelling content that informs, educates and inspires her viewers. Her work often emphasizes social justice, gender equality and conflict-sensitive reporting, reflecting her deep commitment to advocating for positive societal change.  As a passionate women’s rights advocate, Maryann has dedicated her platform to empowering women and amplifying their voices in various spheres of Nigerian society. Her efforts extend beyond journalism into active participation in initiatives and campaigns aimed at fostering gender equality, social inclusion, and community development. Maryann Duke-Okon’s professional journey is characterized by her unwavering dedication to truthful, responsible journalism and her unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable and just society. Her influence and contributions continue to inspire many within the media industry and the broader community.

Early Life and Education

Maryann was born in October 1983 in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, to a Nigerian father and a Sierra Leonean mother. She spent her formative years in Calabar, where she attended several local schools, including Rao International School, Calabar Preparatory School, and Holy Child Girls Secondary School, Marian Hill. She pursued higher education at the University of Calabar, obtaining a Diploma in English and Literary Studies in 2004 and later graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Communication Arts in 2012. Her quest for professional development led her to the FRCN Training School in Shogunle, Lagos, where she earned a certificate in Basic Presentation in 2012. Further honing her craft, she received a certificate in Broadcast Journalism from the prestigious New York Film Academy, a programme sponsored by the Ford Foundation, from which she graduated with a 4.0 aggregate. She is also a Rotary International Peace Fellow, having completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Resolution at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, solidifying her commitment to peace-building through media.

Career Trajectory

Maryann’s career in broadcast journalism began in 2004 as an intern and contract staff at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation, where she covered traffic and performed various newsroom duties. Her talent quickly became apparent, and by 2007, she had risen to become the host of the morning show “A.M EXPERIENCE,” a magazine programme that dissected issues across economics, health, business, security, and education. A significant breakthrough came in 2009 when she was selected to host the first season of “MTN Textamania,” a national television game show. This exposure led to her role as a regional judge for the “MTN Project Fame West Africa” auditions for six seasons. In 2013, Maryann transitioned from the civil service to the private sector, moving to Port Harcourt to join Nigeria Info FM, the country’s premier talk radio station. Over six years, she worked as a show anchor and producer, eventually rising to the position of Head of Presentation and Head of On-Air Personalities.

At the end of 2018, she returned to her “first love,” television, and joined Plus TV Africa in Lagos. At Plus TV, she served as the Head of the Political Desk and the producer and presenter of the flagship programme “Plus Politics,” where she conducted hard-hitting interviews with politicians, analysts, and journalists. She is recognised as one of the first women to host a prime-time political show solo on Nigerian television. Maryann continues to be a prominent voice on the airwaves, currently anchoring “Hard Facts” on Nigeria Info FM, Lagos, and “What’s Up Lagos,” covering a wide range of pressing issues.

Notable Achievements and Advocacy of Maryann Duke-Okon

• “Stop the Soot” Campaign: Maryann is widely credited for her investigative journalism and advocacy on the environmental hazard known as “the SOOT” in Rivers State. Caused by illegal crude oil refining, this black particulate matter blanketed the city of Port Harcourt, causing severe health issues. She dedicated an hour of her morning show daily to highlight the crisis, effectively bringing it to national and international attention and leading to interviews with outlets like the BBC.
• Women’s Rights Advocacy: A staunch advocate for women, Maryann has been at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence, rape, and the maltreatment of widows in the southeast and south of Nigeria. She has created dedicated radio programmes to address these issues and collaborates with NGOs and law enforcement agencies to spread awareness. She encourages women in Africa to take active roles in political leadership.

International Recognition and Fellowships

• International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), 2019: Maryann was invited by the U.S. State Department to participate in the first-ever “Women in Politics and Civil Society” programme. She travelled to the U.S. and met with women from 20 countries to examine U.S. support for gender equality and women’s political participation.
• Vital Voices Fellow, 2023: She was selected as a 2023 Vital Voices Fellow, a global network of women leaders. 
• Rotary Peace Fellow: She completed a post-graduate diploma in Peace and Conflict Resolution at Makerere University. Her peace-building work involves training journalists in peace reporting and conflict-sensitive coverage, especially during elections