On May 20, the 3rd edition of the MTN Nigeria Communications Plc Media Innovation Programme in conjunction with the School of Media and Communications at Pan-Atlantic University commenced with 20 selected participants who will qualify as Fellows for the 2024 cohort on completion of the training.
20 participants, made up of media practitioners across all strata of the media industry including the print, electronic and online platforms had earlier participated in the 2022 and 2023 editions.
Launched in 2022, the fellowship programme according to MTN is meant to train media practitioners to gain deeper insight into the ever-evolving media landscape during the six-month, fully-funded certificate fellowship, which includes a study visit to the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and an innovation hub to incubate ideas.
The participants are also coached on Nigeria’s technology sector and the relationship between media and technology. They are equipped with the skills to adapt to the changing realities that guarantee career and financial success in their professional practice.
Based on the testimonials of the past fellows, the programme is a commendable initiative that has enhanced the capacity of past participants and would also do so for the new cohort.
The quality of the training programme is very high with a wide scope that makes it as good as the international fellowships Nigerian journalists go for abroad.
With the digital disruption of the media landscape globally, there is a need for journalists in the country to acquire the kinds of skills and mentoring offered during the fellowship.
More than ever before, Nigerian journalists need more regular training that will enable them to meet new demands of the profession that require multimedia skills to maximise available opportunities.
Unlike in other sectors, many media organisations in Nigeria do not prioritize continuous training of their staff who have to compete for limited training opportunities offered by local and international Media Non-Governmental Organisations and institutions.
Our survey on the state of media training in 2023 in the country contained in our Nigeria Media Capacity Development Report 2023 confirmed that many journalists did not get as much training as they would have wanted.
Respondents called for more training on digital skills, data and investigative journalism, election reporting, fact-checking and advanced storytelling and writing techniques.
As the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria Tobechukwu Okigbo rightly noted, “The media play a crucial role in shaping the society. It is important that they are provided with tools and opportunities to do their jobs better as this ultimately benefits society.”
MTN Nigeria’s Media Innovation Programme is a major contribution to media capacity development which should be sustained for lasting impact in the Nigeria media sector. Other corporate organisations should also step up their support for enhancing the skills of Nigerian journalists and other media professionals.
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