Benjamin Niyokwizerwa, one of ICK Journalism alumni, is living his dream at the BBC’s Nairobi newsroom. Behind the camera, he produces compelling stories from across the Great Lakes region. What once felt out of reach is now a reality — a journey that began not in a newsroom, but on a football field.
As a young boy in Rwanda, Niyokwizerwa aspired to become a professional footballer. But when he realized that path might not be his future, he pivoted towards another passion — storytelling.
“At first, I thought I would be a footballer,” he recalls. “But then I got interested in sports commentary, and that led me to study journalism.”
He enrolled at Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) in September 2018, where he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Through hands-on courses like Audio-visual Practice and Radio Drama and Film Production, he discovered his true calling: video journalism.
“From there, I knew video was my true calling. Telling stories through visuals became my favorite part of journalism,” he reflects. “ICK gave me the tools and support to practice and improve.”
Learning by doing
Benjamin credits ICK not only for academic instruction but for providing a practical environment that allowed him to hone his craft. Access to equipment, supportive lecturers, and real-world assignments helped shape his professional foundation.
“ICK gave me more than knowledge; it gave me practice,” he says. “It was at ICK that I realized video journalism wasn’t just a course, but a career path.”
Henry Mapesa, a lecturer in TV Production, Motion Picture, and Film Production at ICK, remembers Niyokwizerwa as a standout student.
“Benjamin was a focused and passionate class representative,” Mapesa recalls. “He loved filming, editing, writing, and producing TV stories. I still remember him riding a small local motorbike during a drama and documentary assignment. That level of commitment and creativity really stood out.”
Henry Mapesa, a lecturer in TV Production, Motion Picture, and Film Production at ICK
A Career in motion
After graduating, Benjamin began a two-year professional internship at the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), an experience that brought him face-to-face with the realities of newsroom life.
“Deadlines were sacred,” he says. “You had to deliver, no matter the pressure. It taught me discipline and the importance of teamwork.”
His time at RBA also solidified his technical skills in video production and editing. Abilities that remain central to his work today.
In 2022, Benjamin took a bold step into international media by joining Xinhua News Agency. Unlike his local reporting roles, working for Xinhua required a global mindset and strict adherence to international journalistic standards.
“Xinhua pushed me to think globally. It was a big step that expanded my vision of journalism,” Benjamin says.
Benjamin Niyokwizerwa pictured alongside tea agriculturalists
That global perspective paved the way for his current role at the BBC, where he now works as a video journalist based in Nairobi. Covering the Great Lakes region, Benjamin says working with the BBC is both a dream come true and a challenge that pushes him to grow every day.
“The editorial standards at the BBC are very high. Accuracy, impartiality, and fairness are not just values; they are rules,” he says.
Benjamin approaches each story with intentionality by planning the narrative, capturing strong visuals and sound, and editing with both clarity and integrity. His goal is to produce stories that are not only engaging but trustworthy.
Staying grounded
Despite his growing international profile, Benjamin remains deeply connected to his roots at ICK and often reflects on the foundation the institution gave him.
To current journalism students, he offers heartfelt advice: “Work hard and practice beyond the classroom. What you learn from lecturers is very important, but it’s only about 50% of what the job requires. The other 50% comes from your own effort, doing extra practice, building your skills, and specializing in what you love most.”
He also finds inspiration in journalists who paved the way. Locally, he looks up to Jean Pierre Kagabo and Sylivanus Karemera, while internationally, he admires Larry Madowo of CNN for his global presence and dedication to African storytelling.
From the classrooms of Kabgayi to one of the world’s most recognized newsrooms, Benjamin Niyokwizerwa has proven that passion, persistence, and education can turn dreams into reality.
