‘Journalists should pay attention to emerging trends that have been shaping training opportunities in recent times. They include Rise of Thematic Journalism; Emphasis on Accountability and Ethics; Cross-Border Reporting; Digital and AI Literacy; Community Engagement and AI-powered journalism’
In my over a decade of practising journalism and putting myself out there for media-related opportunities, one reality has become incredibly clear. It is that talent alone is no longer enough. The state of today’s media industry that’s characterised by changing newsroom economy, shrinking budgets, evolving digital tools and heightened global competition for attention have reshaped what it means to build a sustainable journalism career, particularly one that’s built on impact.
In this tech-enabled media environment, accessing structured local and international training opportunities has become an essential skill, not an optional skill, that journalists must be good at, just like their reportorial and editorial skills, if not better.
Also, over the past six years that I’ve committed to I-79 Media Consults, I have engaged with thousands of campus journalists, early-career reporters, freelancers and mid-career professionals across Africa. One recurring pattern stands out from these engagements is that those who deliberately pursue training, fellowships, reporting grants and professional development programmes are far better positioned to survive and, possibly, thrive than those who rely solely on newsroom experience.
Personally, I’ve had a fair share of these benefits from the dozens of media-related opportunities that I’ve participated in which have changed my career over the years.
Why Training Matters More Than Ever
It is no longer news that the Nigerian media space is under pressure, just as the global media is. Many newsrooms are downsizing because advertising revenues are unstable and journalists are increasingly expected to be multi-skilled. As such, reporters must now write, edit, shoot, verify data, pitch internationally and sometimes self-publish.
At the same time, global media institutions such as foundations, universities, and international newsrooms are opening up more opportunities for journalists from the Global South. However, these opportunities often favour journalists who demonstrate capacity, clarity of focus, ethical grounding and evidence of professional growth.
Without a doubt, training opportunities help journalists:
Build specialist expertise (climate, gender, health, data, conflict, environment, technology)
Gain international exposure, networks, data, sources and resources
Access funding, reporting grants and fellowships
Strengthen credibility and editorial discipline
Compete effectively beyond local newsrooms
These aforementioned benefits, among many others, are what have characterised my decade-long career in journalism to date.
At I-79 Media Consults, many participants who started as campus reporters later progressed to national bylines, international collaborations or postgraduate opportunities abroad largely because they intentionally positioned themselves through training and mentorship. Beyond my social enterprise, many people have transitioned from campus journalism into global exposure because they took media training as an important engagement.
Understanding the Verities of Media Training Opportunities
For Nigerian journalists looking toward 2026, it is important to understand that training opportunities are not one-size-fits-all. They generally fall into several categories:
1. Short-Term Skill-Based Trainings
These include workshops, bootcamps, conferences and online courses focused on specific skills such as fact-checking, data journalism, investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling or safety training. Many are offered by NGOs, media development organisations or international newsrooms like Dataphyte, CJID, Nigeria Health Watch etc.
2. Reporting Grants and Project-Based Fellowships
These support journalists to investigate specific issues such as climate change, public health, governance, gender or development. Journalists who intend to fall into and succeed in this category often have a clear story idea, strong ethical grounding and realistic budgets.
3. Long-Term Fellowships and Residencies
Examples include academic-linked fellowships, newsroom placements or policy-media programmes lasting several months. These are competitive and require strong writing samples, references and clarity of career direction.
4. Academic and Professional Pathways
These include funded master’s programmes, research fellowships and media innovation labs. The intersection of journalism with policy, technology and development studies help to broaden career options beyond traditional newsrooms.
What These Opportunities Usually Require
From publishing and reviewing hundreds of open calls and applications, mentoring journalists and designing selection processes through and at I-79 Media Consults, certain requirements recur consistently across credible programmes:
Strong writing samples: Published works that demonstrate clarity, originality, ethical reporting and depth. Here, your everyday newsreports do not cut it. Features, analysis, investigations, exposes etc. are your best bet, even though some applications don’t require them in certain cases.
Clear motivation: Applicants who understand why they want the opportunity and how it fits into their career trajectory stand out. Applying for opportunities that align with your niche helps you to design a clearer motivation.
Thematic focus: Generalists tend to struggle more in the media’s competitive environment, but opportunities increasingly favour journalists with defined beats. As such, target thematic areas of interests such as climate, gender, health, data, conflict, environment, technology and/or genres such as fact checking, solutions journalism, data journalism etc.
Consistent commitment to impact: Many programmes want to see how your work benefits communities, public understanding or policy discourse. A track record of your past deliverables in your newsroom and past programme and record of their impact, however modest, is non-negotiable.
Professional references: Editors, project leads or mentors who can vouch for your discipline and integrity.
One of the most common mistakes young Nigerian journalists make is applying indiscriminately. While it may have worked out well for some, successful applicants are selective, strategic and intentional.
What to Look Out for in 2026
This New Year, journalists should pay attention to emerging trends that have been shaping training opportunities in recent times. They include: Rise of Thematic Journalism; Emphasis on Accountability and Ethics; Cross-Border Reporting; Digital and AI Literacy; Community Engagement and AI-powered journalism.
Nigerian journalists must shift from a survival mindset to a career-building mindset. Training opportunities at the local and international levels are no longer negotiable. They are central to relevance, income diversification and professional longevity.
At I-79 Media Consults, we have curated a list of 20 media opportunities with deadlines closing in January 2026 and they offer a strong starting point for the New Year. They are accessible HERE.
Ogunyemi, an award-winning journalist, is the founder of I-79 Media Consults and a Chief Correspondent with the Nigerian Tribune. He tweets at @IfedayoOgunyemi
READ MORE OUTLOOK 2026 REPORT Prospects in broadcast media, development communications
