The programme, implemented in partnership with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, continues to serve as a platform for equipping journalists, broadcasters, and digital content creators with the skills, exposure, and mentorship required to thrive in today’s evolving media ecosystem.

This year’s fellows were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants across print, broadcast, digital media, and content creation, reflecting the programme’s growing reputation and influence within the industry.

In commemoration of the techo’s 25th anniversary, the cohort has been expanded from 20 fellows in previous editions to 25 for the year.

Speaking on the first day of the programme, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, described the initiative as a reflection of the company’s commitment to innovation, partnership, and continuous learning.

“At MTN Nigeria, innovation, insight, knowledge, skills, and partnership matter deeply to us. The Media Innovation Programme represents all these values – a partnership not just with Pan-Atlantic University, but with every fellow.

“This programme is an adventure in learning, one that challenges participants to reconsider assumptions, revise opinions, rethink ideas, and ultimately grow both professionally and personally,” he said.

Also speaking during the session, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean, School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, encouraged the fellows to recognise the programme as more than a professional milestone, describing it as a transformative experience designed to prepare them to make meaningful contributions to the media industry and society at large.

“The media space today faces significant challenges, and this programme equips participants not just for personal development, but to make a real difference. Beyond skills and exposure, we place strong emphasis on values such as truth, honesty, ethics, and responsibility to society. We hope that every fellow leaves this programme better prepared to contribute significantly to the future of media,” he said.

The selected fellows for the fifth cohort include:

1. Agbetiloye David Adekunle (Senior Reporter, Business Insider Africa)
2. Adeniyi Fatima Adetoke (Content Writer, NotJustOk)
3. Adetola Kayode (State House Correspondent/ News Anchor, Lagos Television)
4. Ajibola Tolulope (Presenter, Silverbird Television)
5. Aliyu Usman (Assistant Chief Correspondent/ Editor, News Agency of Nigeria)
6. Augoye Jayne (Arts, Entertainment and Culture Editor, Premium Times)
7. Auwal Muhammad Ibrahim (Senior Editor, Halal Reporters)
8. Collins Christopher (Programmes Producer, News Central Television)
9. Dan-Ikpoyi Veronica (Senior Anchor, TVC Communications)
10. Dike Chiamaka Patricia (Broadcast Journalist, BBC News)
11. Eluemunoh David (Digital Content Creator)
12. Eseimokumoh Denise Loliaba (Editor-in-Chief, Marie Claire Nigeria)
13. Fosudo Oluwafisayo (Digital Content Creator)
14. Godfrey Progress (Reporter, Vanguard Media Limited)
15. Itiafe Glory Ugonma (Broadcast Journalist, Diamond 88.5 FM)
16. Kasali Segun (ICT Correspondent, Nigerian Tribune);
17. Ofonedu Sarah (On-Air Personality, Inspiration FM)
18. Okamgba Justice (Reporter, The Punch)
19. Onwuka Emmanuel (Presenter & Executive Producer, Nigeria Info FM)
20. Oyesanmi Ifeduyi (Managing Editor, TechCabal)
21. Sabastine Emmanuel (Sports Commentator, Team 33 Production)
22. Taiwo Kafilat (Data Journalist, Media Trust Group)
23. Thomas-Odia Ijeoma (Editor, The Guardian Woman, The Guardian)
24. Ugwu Amarachukwu Deborah (On-Air Personality, Rhythm 93.7 FM PH) and
25. Ukachukwu Nneka (Editor/Producer, Voice of Nigeria).

Over the years, the MTN Media Innovation Programme has grown into a leading media fellowship in Nigeria, providing participants with access to industry experts, structured mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and global best practices in media and communication.

The six-month programme commenced on Monday, May 18, 2026. During this period, the fellows will receive intensive education focused on media innovation, digital transformation, strategic communication, storytelling, and leadership development both in Nigeria and during their one-week study visit to South Africa.

MTN reiterates its commitment to supporting journalism and advancing media excellence in Nigeria, while empowering professionals who continue to shape important conversations across the continent.

Truly, as the media space is rapidly changing, with citizen journalism, digital media, data science, solution journalism, and other innovations changing journalistic practice and media content production, organisations and institutions are taking bold action to help journalists understand these changes and equip them with new skills needed to function in the new age of media.

Nigeria’s leading technology company, MTN Nigeria, has joined global organisations supporting media practitioners to stay relevant in an ever-changing media profession with the launch of groundbreaking Media Innovation Programme (MIP) to train 20 Nigerian media practitioners in digital skills, improvement in writing and reporting skills through group presentations and sessions on PowerPoint tools for effective communication.

“The Media Innovation Programme (MIP) fellows will engage in intensive sessions on courses covering creativity and innovation, entrepreneurship and management principles, subscription business, strategic planning skills, amongst others,” Karl Toriola, the CEO of MTN Nigeria, said at the launch of the programme on Wednesday, April 27 at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

The six-month fully funded fellowship programme is in partnership with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, in Lagos.

The 20 Fellows will spend some time in accelerator labs and innovation centres, creating and incubating ideas, as well as a study visit to the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, adjudged one of the top universities in Africa in media training.

The Media Innovation Programme is coming at a time when media leaders from more than 50 countries across the world say lack of sufficient resources and skills are the major barriers to delivering innovation in their works, according to the ‘Journalism, media, and technology trends and predictions 2022’ report published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, in January 2022.

The report revealed that around 51% of 246 media leaders in 52 countries surveyed say they don’t have enough money to invest in innovation this year.

A similar proportion says they struggle to hire or keep enough technical, design, or data staff to deliver solutions.

Through the MIP, MTN will be investing over N300 million in helping Nigerian journalists deliver innovation in their works and have a better understanding of media business and revenue models in a way that guarantees career and financial success.

By investing in media training for journalists in different beats, MTN continues its tradition of contributing significantly to educational growth in Nigeria. 

“We are driven by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected world inspired by the potential of Africa. The world is constantly evolving, with the media landscape changing at remarkable speed boosted by technology. Our motivation is to support the Nigerian media space with our infrastructure and enable capacity building initiatives to accelerate innovation in media practice.”

“It’s a delight to partner with Pan-Atlantic University, who through their expertise have contributed to the professional development of the media industry, not only in Nigeria but across Africa,” Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria noted during the announcement.