For half a decade, HumAngle has been pushing against the silence, documenting the multiple conflict situations in Africa, amplifying voices long forgotten, and holding power to account. Founded with the conviction that journalism in Africa must be more than headlines, HumAngle has grown into one of the continent’s most trusted mission-driven newsrooms and advocacy hubs.
Our reporters have trekked into displacement camps and risked reporting trips to ungoverned spaces to spotlight forgotten communities under siege, investigated the funding streams that fuel extremist violence, and exposed the environmental toll of unregulated mining. Our advocacy efforts have sparked policy conversations, guided humanitarian initiatives, and compelled authorities to release arbitrarily detained citizens. Our data tools, like the HumAngle Insecurity Tracker, have become indispensable for researchers and aid groups monitoring Nigeria’s insecurity crisis.
Yet behind the headlines, the story of HumAngle’s rise is incomplete without the contributions of the shared services team whose names rarely appear on bylines. These are the architects who merge technology, creativity, and other support services to redefine journalism and advocacy.
Over coffee cups, midnight coding sessions, and quiet moments of resilience, they have contributed to the rise of a newsroom that is not just surviving but setting standards.
Mapping truth with Mansir
When conflict displaces thousands in the Lake Chad Basin, Mansir Muhammed doesn’t just rely on official reports — he turns to the sky.
“I see myself leading the development of a full-fledged unit within HumAngle that integrates OSINT, GIS, and AI at scale,” he said.
As Senior Specialist in GIS, OSINT, and Emerging Tech, Mansir has elevated HumAngle’s investigations. His maps documenting mass displacement across northern Nigeria shape the understanding of the region’s topography. His OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) analyses on extremist propaganda have informed security stakeholders across West Africa. And the AI-powered HumAngle Tracker dashboard he helped build is now a vital resource for visualising patterns of violence across Nigeria.
It comes as no surprise that he won the Sigma Awards in 2024 for groundbreaking investigative innovation.
Breaking boundaries: the XR dreamers
Five years ago, HumAngle’s reporting was text, photo, and video. Today, it’s immersive in many aspects. Slip on a headset at one of our exhibitions, and you might find yourself walking through a reconstructed village destroyed by insurgents or sitting inside a displaced person’s tent as their story unfolds around you or walking through the relics of war.
This leap is thanks to the XR team.
“We’ve been building a platform that will allow easy creation of experiences/tours from 360 cameras that are fully immersive in headsets, but can still be viewed from phones/laptops. This is like Twine (Twinery) but for VR and will take audiences through the lens of the people at the centre of these stories, having them in their shoes. The goal, like with all HumAngle storytelling, is to create emotional resonance that leads to positive and effective action in society,” says Michael Abia, one of HumAngle’s XR developers.
Designing the future
HumAngle has never shied away from aesthetics. Whether through striking illustrations by Akila Jibrin, accompanying stories of climate displacement, or powerful infographics showing the spread of violence, the Creative & Innovation Desk has ensured that information is disseminated in the most visually appealing way to evoke emotions.
“By consistently producing compelling illustrations and animations, I help bridge the gap between complex issues and public understanding. Strong visuals not only complement the written word but also enhance the overall impact of our storytelling, ensuring that our work resonates with both local and international audiences,” said Akila, HumAngle’s Senior Illustrator.
Storytelling in motion — the multimedia editor
If HumAngle is known today for its crisp explainers, powerful documentaries, and podcasts that echo across the continent, much of the credit belongs to its multimedia editor and his team.
From scripting and editing to directing productions, the multimedia team ensures that every piece of audio-visual content meets international standards. Flagship products like our monthly podcast The Crisis Room, Vestiges of Violence (VoV), and the HumAngle Index have become staples in our storytelling arsenal, and several investigative podcasts have raised the bar of what can be achieved with audiovisual storytelling.
“I’m a visual storyteller, and that core will remain as strong tomorrow as it is today. In the next two years, I want to keep making documentaries while pivoting into filmmaking, whether realism or fiction. As long as I’m showing stories, my heart will stay unshaken,” said Anthony Asemota, the Multimedia Editor.
The goal is simple. We want our stories to stay with you long after you’ve closed the browser or left the screening room.
Speaking the people’s language
For many across Northern Nigeria, the first point of connection with HumAngle is through the voice of Rukayya Sa’eed, who leads the Hausa version of VOV—Birbishin Rikici.
“The localisation project shows that my work is important. If I continue to put in more effort, I believe the HumAngle Hausa platform can become even more visible and relevant,” Rukayya said.
Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu, with support from Isah Samaila, Al’Amin Umar, and Rukayyah, are driving HumAngle’s localisation initiatives, where most of the stories we tell will not only be in Hausa but also in more local languages spoken in the Sahel. This will ensure that grassroots communities are not just subjects of reporting but participants in it.
Guardians of the digital frontline
As HumAngle’s influence continues to grow, so have the risks. Cyberattacks, surveillance attempts, and disinformation campaigns have targeted the newsroom, though a few times compared to other newsrooms in the region, but the threats are likely to grow with growth.
“You’ll never see my work in a byline,” Attahiru Jibrin, HumAngle’s Digital Infrastructure & Security Lead, said. “But you’ll feel it if I fail.”
Evidence into action
At HumAngle, journalism meets policy in the hands of the Human Security & Policy Analyst, Abdussamad Ahmad Yusuf.
“Contributing to impact within the humanitarian, civic, and media landscape through evidence-based programming will reposition HumAngle as a leading organisation in the field of security and peacebuilding. My work will also help build a stronger portfolio in climate crisis, human security, and social impact,” said Abdussamad.
In the future, the young professional sees himself situated within the HumAngle mission, leading research projects, strengthening the organisation’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems, and contributing to stakeholder engagement while building expert-level recognition in human security, peacebuilding, and conflict analysis within the West African & Sahelian sub-regions.
Turning vision into breakthroughs
Damilola Lawal, HumAngle’s Creative & Innovation Manager, helps to transform bold ideas into groundbreaking projects that redefine how stories of conflict, resilience, and justice are told across Africa.
By coordinating professionals across XR, AI, and animation, while fostering a strong design culture, she helps ensure HumAngle continues to explore new ways of blending technology with journalism.
From reach to influence
Shade is the driver of HumAngle’s digital voice and reach. As Audience Growth & Engagement Editor, she charts the strategy that connects HumAngle’s journalism with millions across Africa and the diaspora. From curating powerful newsletters to building dynamic online communities and amplifying advocacy campaigns. Her expertise blends editorial insight with digital innovation—ensuring HumAngle is not only heard but felt in policy spaces, donor circles, and grassroots communities alike.
“I am particularly interested in ideating and designing immersive products like interactive websites, VR and XR tours. I would also like to have transcended from audience engagement to something that aligns with my goals of immersive experimentation,” said Shade.
Building reach, one click at a time
Visibility is survival for independent media. The IT & SEO Officer ensures that HumAngle’s online publications scale.
“In the next two years, I see myself becoming a versatile leader in SEO. By mastering new SEO skills and enhancing our digital strategies in HumAngle, I hope to contribute to making HumAngle have a strong online presence,” said Samir Sheriff.
Caring for the storytellers
Finally, there is the lead psychologist.
“My job is to make sure every staff member’s well-being and resilience are met and prioritised through the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and wellness activities. This approach not only strengthens our internal capacity but also extends to external civic actors and ensures that everyone is prepared to engage communities and demonstrate healthy practices in their daily activities,” said Chioma Onyemaobi.
More than a newsroom, a movement
Five years in, HumAngle has produced exposés on extremist violence, human trafficking, and displacement. It has used data to predict crises before they spiral, created XR experiences that make conflicts tangible, and launched podcasts that give voice to those often erased. Our stories have led to policy debates, influenced aid distribution, and empowered communities.
Behind all this is a team whose names may not appear in bylines, such as HR, Finance and Programme’s teams, but whose fingerprints shape every story and every advocacy. They are the cartographers of truth, the engineers of trust, and the guardians of the well-being of HumAngle.
This article is not only a celebration of their work but also a standard for what it means to be part of this mission. Some have exceeded expectations, others are striving to meet them, but together they remind us of one truth: HumAngle is not just a newsroom – it is a movement for justice, resilience, and change.
