Toun Sonaiya Becomes St. Ives Communications Board Chair, Aramide Alakija-Ajeh Named CEO of Women Radio 

Summary: Toun Okewale Sonaiya, the co-founder of St. Ives Communications company and co-owner of Women Radio WFM 91.7, has been appointed as Chairperson of the Board of Directors. As part of the same leadership restructuring, Aramide Ayodeji Alakija-Ajeh was named the new CEO of Women Radio WFM 91.7.

Toun Okewale Sonaiya, the co-founder of St. Ives Communications company and co-owner of Women Radio WFM 91.7, has been appointed as Chairperson of the Board of Directors. This was contained in a statement released by Emmanuel Olonade, the Communications Manager, Voice of Woman Empowerment Foundation, on Friday, February 27, 2026.

St. Ives Communications Company is the parent company of Women Radio (WFM) 91.7, a leading radio platform dedicated to women’s development, amplifying women’s voices and promoting inclusive national development. It focuses on women-centred programmes and collaborates with women-led grassroots organisations to spotlight women’s stories, showcasing them as positive role models to emulate. It is also the only Nigerian radio station licensed to operate women-centred radio programmes. The radio station was co-founded by Dr Wale and Toun Okewale Sonaiya in 2015. 

With over 30 years of experience as a Nigerian media entrepreneur and broadcaster, Toun is widely recognised as the co-founder of Women Radio (WFM) 91.7, the first female-oriented radio station in Sub-Saharan Africa. She is a passionate advocate for gender equity who founded the Women Radio Centre, Nigeria’s first academy dedicated to training female investigative journalists. In February 2025, she was honoured by the Nigerian House of Representatives as the Outstanding Female Achiever in the Media Sector.

Speaking on her appointment, the Board of Directors congratulates Toun and acknowledges her outstanding leadership, visionary approach, and over a decade of unwavering dedication to the organisation. According to the board, since the launch of Women Radio in 2015, the CEO has played an important role in driving the company’s growth and transformation, positioning Women Radio as a leading, credible, and trusted voice for women and communities across Nigeria and beyond. Her commitment to advancing gender equity, amplifying women’s voices, and promoting inclusive dialogue has significantly shaped the station’s identity and impact.

In her new role as the Board Chair, Toun will provide strategic oversight and governance leadership to guide the organisation’s long-term vision, sustainability and expansion. Using her strong industry knowledge, stakeholder relationships and passion for women’s empowerment, she will continue to strengthen the institution’s influence within the media and development sectors. The Board further notes that she will continue to lead the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation (VOWEF), further improving the synergy between the Foundation and Women Radio WFM 91.7 to advance advocacy and social impact initiatives.

As part of a leadership restructure, the Board also appointed Aramide Ayodeji Alakija-Ajeh as the new CEO of Women Radio WFM 91.7. As a strategic leader and organisational development expert, Aramide currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio and has 14 years of experience in operational management, institutional development, and scaling growth across diverse organisations. Before she joined  Women Radio, she worked at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), where she focused on scaling teams and driving organisational structure to achieve real-world impact. She is recognised for her focus on operational excellence, innovation, and strengthening institutional systems. She frequently shares insights on the complexities of leading at scale and the importance of emotional intelligence in management. 

“These appointments reflect the organisation’s commitment to strong governance, leadership continuity, and the achievement of its strategic objectives. They also signal a renewed focus on innovation, sustainability, and the delivery of high-quality, impactful media content that informs, empowers, and inspires,” the Voice of Woman Empowerment Foundation’s statement notes.