Riyah Abdul is an award-winning Ghanaian journalist and broadcast professional whose career is defined by purpose, resilience, and impact. She is the lead anchor of the Breakfast Show on TVC, where she anchors live broadcasts, leads daily editorial conversations, and interviews top government officials, business leaders, and influential voices shaping Africa’s future.
Her journey is as compelling as her work. Riyah’s story spans borders—leaving Ghana for Nigeria in pursuit of her voice and a bigger platform for storytelling. In a highly competitive media landscape, she carved her space through consistency, courage, and an unwavering belief in the power of journalism. Today, she stands as a leading on-air voice, using her platform to amplify under-reported stories and elevate meaningful conversations.
Beyond television, Riyah is a sought-after event host, moderator, and keynote speaker, trusted with high-level conferences, policy dialogues, and corporate engagements. Known for her clarity, credibility, and calm authority on air, she represents a new generation of African media leaders—blending journalistic integrity with influence and purpose.
Riyah Abdul, can you tell us about your early life and career and how those experiences have shaped your professional journey?
I was born and raised in Ghana and grew up in very humble circumstances, which shaped my resilience and determination. My career took a defining turn when I moved to Nigeria in search of growth and a stronger voice in journalism. Starting afresh in a new country taught me discipline, empathy, and purpose, values that continue to guide how I tell stories today.
After nearly a decade at Metro TV Ghana, you made the bold move to Nigeria. What did that transition teach you about risk, reinvention, and the courage to start over in a new market?
Leaving Metro TV after nearly a decade and moving to Nigeria taught me that growth often requires discomfort. It reinforced the importance of taking calculated risks, reinventing myself, and trusting my abilities in a new and competitive market. Starting over strengthened my confidence and reminded me that courage is essential to evolution.
You’ve worked across major platforms — from News Central TV to TVC Breakfast and red carpets. What does it mean to you to represent African media on such diverse stages?
Representing African media across diverse platforms is a responsibility I take seriously, in fact I don’t joke at all with it. I believe deeply in African storytelling and in the power of our narratives to shape how the world sees us. As Riyah Abdul, I am committed to telling Africa’s stories with authenticity, depth, and excellence, amplifying our voices, preserving our truths, and sharing our realities with the world like never before.
Every trailblazer has people who shaped their path. Who were the mentors or figures that guided you early on, and what lessons from them still echo in your work today?
I’ve been fortunate to learn from people who truly shaped my perspective and standards. Stephanie Busari taught me the power of courage and integrity in storytelling, Dele Momodu showed me the value of influence with purpose, and Paulo Okoye reinforced the importance of branding, confidence, and consistency. The lessons they shared continue to echo in my work every day—on air and beyond.
You’re fluent in multiple languages, including French. How has your multilingualism expanded your perspective as a journalist and helped you connect with diverse audiences across Africa?
I speak French, Hausa, Twi, English, and a little Yoruba, and that has deeply shaped my work as a journalist. I remember being in Abuja and interviewing someone in Hausa, it reinforced for me how powerful language is in building trust and connection. French, in particular, has opened doors for me on many international platforms. Being multilingual allows me to engage more authentically with diverse audiences and tell stories with greater depth and understanding.
You advocate strongly for African excellence and impactful storytelling. But African media also operates under significant constraints like political pressure, economic instability, infrastructure challenges etc. How do you maintain idealism about “excellence” while navigating very real structural limitations?
I believe excellence is not the absence of challenges but the commitment to standards despite them. African media operates under real constraints, but I choose to focus on integrity, preparation, and responsibility in every story I tell. Idealism keeps the vision alive; discipline and adaptability make it achievable within our realities.
What have you had to release (professionally, personally, culturally) to become the Riyah you are today? I’ve had to release fear, especially the fear of lack and of failure. When I decided to move to Nigeria, I let go of the question, “What if I fail?” and chose courage instead. Growing up in very humble circumstances made my drive stronger, pushing me to work harder and stay focused. I am committed to being the best at what I do and to becoming a true force in the media, driven by excellence, purpose, and impact.
If you could design your dream project, one that combines your love for storytelling, your entrepreneurial spirit, and your advocacy for women, what would it look like?
My dream is to build a storytelling platform that empowers women to believe in themselves, so that when they see my journey, they can say, “If Riyah can do it, then I can do it too.” In the long term, I see myself owning my own media network and establishing the Riyah Abdul Academy, a space dedicated to training, mentoring, and empowering the next generation of African media professionals. My goal is to build institutions that inspire confidence, amplify voices, and shape excellence across Africa.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Women in Media, and where do you see yourself contributing to that evolution in the next decade?
What excites me most is seeing more women stepping into leadership, ownership, and decision-making roles in media. In the next decade, I see myself contributing by building platforms, mentoring young women, and creating opportunities that allow women to tell their stories boldly, authentically, and without limitation.
If you could speak directly to young African women watching your journey unfold, what would you tell them about owning their voice, their space, and their power?
I come from the very bottom, and if I can rise from there, nothing should stop you. I had nothing but my talent, and I chose to believe in it. Where I come from, breaking out is hard, which is why I always say, “If Riyah can do it, you have no excuse.”
So to every young woman watching, keep pushing. The sky is not your limit; it’s your starting point.
