Nigist Selfu is a well-known Ethiopian Radio and Television journalist whose work left a lasting mark on the history of Ethiopian journalism. Beginning in 1986, she worked at Ethiopian Radio in the News Department as a producer, presenter, and editor, and later served in a leadership role at Ethiopian Television. Her distinctive journalistic style, clarity of language, and strong professional ethics made her one of the most respected media figures of her generation.
Early Life
Nigist Selfu was born in Addis Ababa, near Nefas Silk, close to a school then known as Sibstie Legasion, on Sunday, October 4, 1964. She is the first of five children of Ato Selfu Worku and Weizero Atakilt Gesesse.
Her father originated from the former Shewa Province (Selassie Awraja) and later moved with his family to the Bale Goba Kifle Hager, where relatives on Nigist’s paternal side still reside. Her mother was born on the Zegie Peninsula (Zegie Island) on Lake Tana, near Bahir Dar.
Because her father worked in road construction, Nigist’s childhood involved frequent relocation. At age two, she moved with her family to Agaro, to the former Kaffa Kifle Hager, returning to Addis Ababa before she turned four. The family later moved to Wulbareg, Shewa where she began school at age five, and then to Hosaena while she was in third grade.
Nigist attended a Missionary School for third grade, completed fourth and part of fifth grade at Ras Abate Bua’yalew School in Hosanna, and finished the remainder of fifth grade in Bash, in the former Menz and Gishe Awraja. She continued her education through seventh grade and part of eighth grade in Molale.
Despite long travel distances, sometimes walking kilometers to school or living with family friends to continue her education, Nigist consistently excelled academically. In March 1977, her family moved to Ambo, some 100 km West of Addis Ababa where she completed her education at Meskerem Hulet Comprehensive Secondary School. She passed the National Matriculation Examination, ranking among the top students and becoming the only female student among 42 graduates from her school admitted to university-level studies.
Education
Nigist entered Addis Ababa University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages and Literature in 1986. While studying at the Sidist Kilo campus, she became widely known by the nickname “Black Diamond.”
Years later, she returned to Addis Ababa University and completed a Master’s Degree in Gender Studies, graduating in July 2007. After moving to the United States, soon after, she earned a second graduate degree—a Master of Social Work (MSW)—from the University of Southern California (USC). She is currently a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
Professional Career in Journalism
Upon graduating from university, Nigist was assigned to Ethiopian Radio in 1979, after proactively arranging her placement and successfully passing written and voice evaluations conducted by the legendary Tadesse Muluneh, then head of the Program Department.
Nigist quickly distinguished herself through precise word choice, short and clear sentences suited to radio, a distinctive and powerful vocal delivery and an innovative presentation style. She often emphasized that “radio does not like words to pile up.”
Nigist worked at Ethiopian Radio from 1986 to 1996, during what many regard as the golden age of Ethiopian radio journalism, particularly during the era of Zena File. The journalistic style she pioneered, later, became standard among younger journalists.
After spending time in Norway, she returned to Ethiopia and worked at Ethiopian Television for approximately three and a half years, serving first as a reporter and news producer, and later as Head of the Amharic Programs Department.
Media Work in the Diaspora
After leaving Ethiopia, Nigist remained engaged in journalism. She contributed reports to Ethiopian Satellite Television and Radio (ESAT) and hosted the “Nigist Selfu Radio Show” on Seattle-based KLFE 1590. The program aired on weekends for about one and a half years, focusing on Ethiopian current affairs and the Ethiopian diaspora in the United States, before ending due to a station format change.
She later stepped away from journalism temporarily to pursue further graduate studies.
Social Work Career
Nigist Selfu currently works as a Medical Social Worker at University of Washington Medicine, in Seattle.
Civic and Volunteer Engagement
Nigist is a founding member of the Ethiopian Public Forum in Seattle, an organization that played a significant role in civic and political advocacy within the Ethiopian diaspora.
She led the ESAT Support Committee for many years, helping raise nearly half a million U.S. dollars, and served on ESAT’s Global Support Committee. She also reported on major events in the Western United States for ESAT broadcasts.
In 2017, she facilitated the inclusion of more than 20 poems in Ethiopian languages in Seattle’s Poetry on Buses project.
While living in Ethiopia, she served on the WASH Ethiopia National Committee under UNICEF and represented Ethiopia in international forums in Senegal, Nairobi, and Uganda.
She also contributed to alumni organizing efforts during the 50th anniversary of Meskerem Hulet Secondary School, supporting the institution both locally and internationally.
Personal Life and Interests
Nigist married Dr. Ashenafi Gossaye, with whom she has two children, Emnet and Kalkidan. She moved to the United States on October 4, 2007, her 43rd birthday, following her husband’s Post Doctoral Fulbright Scholarship at University of Washington. She currently resides in Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest.
Those close to her describe her as a lover of travel and water landscapes—rivers, lakes, and oceans—and deeply devoted to her family.
Legacy
Nigist Selfu is remembered as a journalist of integrity, clarity, and courage. Her contributions to Ethiopian radio journalism—particularly during the 1980s and 1990s—remain influential, and her commitment to public service continues through her work in social services and civic engagement.
Documenting her story serves to preserve an important chapter of Ethiopian media history for future generations.