MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), has celebrated a major milestone in its drive to strengthen Africa’s media ecosystem with the graduation of 20 Fellows from the fourth cohort of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP).

The graduation ceremony, held at the Lagos Business School, recognised the Fellows’ excellence, resilience and commitment to forward-thinking storytelling, while also unveiling plans to expand the initiative into a Pan-African programme from 2026.

Designed as an intensive six-month professional development programme, MIP Cohort 4 challenged participants through rigorous coursework, demanding schedules and a strong focus on critical thinking and innovation. A key component of the programme was an international study visit to South Africa, which exposed the Fellows to evolving media practices and innovation across the continent.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of the School of Media and Communications, PAU, praised the Fellows for persevering through the demanding programme.

“In some moments, it was pretty gruelling for some of you, but you made it. You are here, and I congratulate you,” he said, urging them to see the graduation not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a new phase of impact and transformation.

Also addressing the audience, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, congratulated the Fellows and reaffirmed MTN’s long-term commitment to the programme.

“You are joining a network of professionals committed to elevating the media landscape in Nigeria and beyond. The future of this programme depends on your impact. This cohort represents what we envisioned when the journey began,” he said, announcing that the Pan-African edition of the Media Innovation Programme will be launched in 2026.

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of ₦2.5 million in cash awards to Fellows whose projects demonstrated outstanding innovation, depth of research and alignment with the programme’s ethos of impactful storytelling. The prizes were presented by Chineze Gbenga-Oluwatoye, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, MTN Nigeria, and Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation.

Vanessa Ukamaka Richard Bassey, Head of Programmes at Sparkling 92.3 FM, Calabar, emerged as the overall top award recipient, winning ₦1 million for the MTN Foundation Chairman Award for Innovative Reportage and another ₦1 million for the MTN Chairman’s Prize for Innovation.

Reflecting on her journey, Bassey described the programme as transformative.

“It’s been a training ground. It has opened me up to new things and made me more confident. Knowledge, information and exposure change your mindset and your self-esteem. After today, I know there’s nothing to be afraid of,” she said.

Abolaji Adebayo also received ₦500,000 for the MIP Cohort 4 Best Report, recognised for its clarity, depth and relevance to national discourse.

Other Fellows shared how the programme has reshaped their professional outlook. Adekeye Ayobami of Abamimigo FM described MIP as arriving at a defining moment in his career, while Ubani Amarachi of Channels TV highlighted the South Africa study tour as a turning point that reshaped her approach to telling African stories.

With the graduation of Cohort 4 and the announcement of its Pan-African expansion, the MTN Media Innovation Programme continues to reinforce MTN Nigeria’s commitment to education, innovation and capacity building within the media sector. Through its partnership with Pan-Atlantic University, the initiative remains a catalyst for nurturing media professionals equipped to shape narratives, influence public discourse and drive meaningful change across Africa.