The third cohort of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) has called for an extension of the initiative to allow more journalists to benefit from its offerings. Juliet Tontoye, Vice-President of the 3rd MIP cohort, made this appeal during a meeting with MTN Nigeria’s Chief Digital Officer, A’isha Mumuni.
According to a statement provided to Pathway News in Lagos, the MTN Media Innovation Fellows expressed their desire for the fellowship to continue beyond its initial three-year pilot phase.
“When we share our experiences with our colleagues at our respective media houses, we realize that the programme’s benefits and impact are easier to experience than explain. In the past three months, MIP has been such an eye-opening journey; it is a fellowship every media professional needs to experience. MTN has been such a wonderful host, and we know this costs millions of naira,” Tontoye said.
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She emphasized the belief among fellows that the programme would have a profound impact on their colleagues in the media industry.
Tobe Okigbo, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, explained that the funds allocated to the MIP were initially intended for celebrating MTN’s milestone anniversary. The MIP was conceived in 2021, during MTN’s 20th anniversary, as an alternative to a lavish celebration with celebrities.
“However, the company took a different direction when our communications team pitched the idea. We want you to better understand the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and the telecom industry. MTN then committed to instituting the programme for three years as a pilot, beginning in 2022,” Okigbo said.
Pathway News reports that the MTN Media Innovation Programme is an annual, fully-funded fellowship for 20 media practitioners in Nigeria, spanning six months. The programme enhances participants’ knowledge and skills in media innovation, helping them navigate the evolving media landscape and leverage technology to create impactful content.
Now in its third cohort, the programme has successfully trained 40 fellows in partnership with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University. The training includes in-class sessions, industry visits to innovation hubs, a 5G Demo Day hosted by Huawei, a tour of MTN facilities, and study trips to South Africa.
The study trip features classroom sessions at the University of Johannesburg, visits to leading media houses in South Africa, and meetings with the South African Institute of International Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria. The aim is to assess the gains and challenges of Nigerian-South African bilateral relations and the role of media in Pan-Africanism.
