In a world where male voices have long dominated the airwaves, Debbie Larry-Izamoje is rewriting the story—combining innovation, inclusivity, and impact to transform African sports media.
At just 30, she’s made history as the youngest CEO of Brila Media Group, Nigeria’s trailblazing sports broadcasting powerhouse.
Born into the legacy of Dr. Larry Izamoje—the founder of Africa’s first sports radio station, Brila FM—Debbie could have easily followed a predictable path. Instead, she chose to reinvent the brand.
With nearly a decade at the helm, including four years as COO, she revolutionized Brila FM into Brila Media, a dynamic multi-platform group stretching digital, broadcasting, print, and consultancy.
Her leadership propelled Brila Media’s rise as a digital juggernaut, boasting over one million Facebook followers and racking up a staggering 60 million social media impressions monthly—putting Brila at the heart of Africa’s vibrant “sportainment” culture.
Debbie isn’t just shaking up media—she’s a passionate advocate for equality in sports. Through Football for Girls Africa (FGA), she’s opening doors for young African girls to kick-start careers in football beyond just playing on the field.
The Nigerian Football Federation recognizes FGA’s trailblazing work, making Debbie a powerful voice for gender inclusion.
Her mission? To build environments where all genders and ages thrive, fueling productivity and sparking creativity at every level of the sports industry.
Armed with a BSc in Information Management from the University of Sheffield and a Master’s in Management from UCL, Debbie’s thirst for knowledge doesn’t stop there.
She sharpened her edge with certificates in Innovation and Strategy from Harvard and User Innovation from MIT—skills she applies daily to disrupt the media landscape.
Entrepreneurship runs in her veins. Through her PR agency, Image Boosters, she empowers entrepreneurs to amplify their brand stories and master public relations in the digital age.
Looking ahead, Debbie is embracing cutting-edge tech—including AI—to revolutionize how media is produced, consumed, and monetized across Africa. Merging tradition with forward-thinking innovation, she’s setting new standards and inspiring a continent hungry for fresh voices and fresh perspectives.
In Debbie Larry-Izamoje, Africa finds a leader whose vision and drive prove that when passion meets purpose, the future of media—and sports—can be truly transformed.
