MTN Calls for Applications for 3rd Edition of Media Innovation Programme

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and the School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University have announced the call for applications from qualified media practitioners to participate in the third edition of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MTN MIP-3), which will commence on May 20, 2024, at the Main Campus of the Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.  

Launched in 2022 to enable media practitioners to gain deeper insight into the ever-evolving media landscape, the six-month, fully-funded certificate fellowship, which includes a study visit to the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and an innovation hub to incubate ideas, is open to media practitioners across all strata of the media industry including the print, electronic and online platforms. The programme is also open to social media content creators. 

Speaking on the impact of the programme, Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria said: “The media play a crucial role in shaping the society. It is important that they are enabled with tools and opportunities to do their jobs better as this ultimately benefits society. Our commitment is to continue to empower media practitioners, regardless of platforms, to be able to innovate and create technological-driven solutions to our world. This is what the MTN Media Innovation Programme seeks to accomplish.”

The Dean, School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, stated that the programme brings into play the wide experience that the School has in the training of media practitioners. 

“In our various programmes targeted at journalists, we at the School of Media and Communication have always laid a lot of emphasis on the importance of creativity, ethics and professionalism. The Media Innovation Programme is one more opportunity to drive home these values but with a new emphasis on innovation. Journalism remains as important as ever to society, and it is driven by the same values, but journalists require retooling to meet the technological changes and challenges of today. This is the role that the Media Innovation Programme aims to play, and we are quite happy to be able to partner with MTN to achieve this goal.”

At the end of the training, 20 successful applicants will qualify as Fellows for the 2024 cohort. The Fellows would be coached on Nigeria’s technology sector, and the relationship between media and technology, and equipped with the skills to adapt to the changing realities that guarantee career and financial success in their professional practice. Fellows will also have access to professional resources and mentorship from PAU’s erudite faculty.

Applications opened on Friday, March 23 and will close on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.