By Abolaji Adebayo
Excitement is building as the fourth cohort of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) fellows in Nigeria complete their studies and are set for graduation.
The cohort, which began its fully-sponsored six-month course in May 2025, is scheduled to graduate on November 28, 2025.
A key highlight of the programme was a week-long study trip to South Africa where the 20 fellows visited the University of Johannesburg, the South African Institute of International Affairs, and the MTN Group headquarters, engaging in academic sessions and panel discussions on the role of media in diplomacy.
The fellows emphasised the importance of responsible journalism in combating misinformation and shaping Africa’s narrative.
This milestone coincides with the launch of a larger, pan-African version of the initiative, which will extend the MIP model to media professionals across all 16 of MTN’s African markets.
Developed in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and The African Editors Forum, the new Pan-African Media Innovation Programme will feature a 12-week certified curriculum blending online and in-person learning in Johannesburg, focusing on digital transformation, media sustainability, ethics, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies like AI.
The first pan-African cohort is set to begin in 2026. Senior officials have commended the programme, with MTN Group’s Nompilo Morafo stating that well-resourced and digitally skilled media is essential for a trustworthy future. Prof. Admire Mare from the University of Johannesburg noted the programme’s potential to deepen the capacity of African journalists, while Churchill Otieno of The African Editors Forum said investing in journalists is an investment in Africa’s prosperity.
The graduation of Cohort 4 concludes one chapter while the launch of the pan-African initiative opens another, marking a significant step toward bolstering a skilled media workforce across the continent.
