MTN MIP-3: Exploring Nexus between Technology, Data Analytics and Business Models in Driving Media Innovation

The third week of the six months-long MTN Media Innovation Programme at the School

 of Media and Communication of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, was expository as it gave the MIP Cohorts a better understanding of how technology and data analytics drive modern business operations and how the media can tap into that. From visits to KPMG and Huawei to lectures on telecoms and ICT Landscape in Nigeria to 5G, IoT and the Future of Tech Presentation, AI and The Media, Subscription Business Model and on Business Journalism, Building a Digital Economy for Nigeria’s Future and E-Commerce: Business and Revenue Models, it was a power-packed week, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes 

The third week of the ongoing six month-long Media Innovation Programme (MIP-3) at the School of Media and Communication (SMC) of the Pan Atlantic University (PAU), could best be described in three words- Intensive, elucidating and unforgettable. 
Sponsored by MTN as part of its commitment in fostering innovation and development, the certificate course was curated to transform and empower media practitioners to take advantage of technology and innovation to do their jobs better and tell stories that needed to be told.

Telecoms and ICT Landscape in Nigeria

Week three began with Telecoms and ICT Landscape in Nigeria; from 2G – 5G and was taken by Ikenna Ikeme, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs MTN, who took the class through the modern history of communications in Nigeria to its evolution, then spectrums, frequency and the process how calls are made. He also dealt with interconnections, quality of communications regulation and the contribution of Telecommunications and ICT to the Nigerian Economy. 

5G, IoT and the Future of Tech Presentation

The second day dealt with 5G, IoT and the Future of Tech

Presentation, which was tackled by Ugonwa Nwoye, Customer Operations Executive for MTN. The key lessons drawn was the importance of patents and the need to be mindful of copyright infringements.

AI and The Media 

On Wednesday, Chukwuebuka Ezewuzie took the class on AI and the Media, elucidating the learning patterns and reasoning, as well as importance of human intelligence in aiding the media to analyse data and even churn out fine reports. He however urged the cohort to always fact check whatever the AI generates.

Subscription Business Model and on Business Journalism 

On Thursday, Mr. Anthony Osae-Brown took the class on The Subscription Business Model and on Business Journalism afterwards. While the former encapsulated that information should cost money through paywalls or other methods, the second lecture dealt with the nomenclature of stocks, shares, securitisation, market and even equities, amongst others. 

Building a Digital Economy for Nigeria’s Future 

Chief Digital Services Officer, MTN Nigeria, Aisha Umar Mumuni dealt on Building a Digital Economy for Nigeria’s Future. According to her, the world is at one’s finger tips 

with the power of technology. On opportunities for digital revenue, she charged the cohort to create content unique to the people around them, adding that there is no excuse to fail. 

“MTN Digital Framework aims to accelerate Digital and financial inclusion by connecting the unconnected by ensuring that everyone reals the social, economic and developmental dividends of being online,” she added. 

E-Commerce: Business and Revenue Models 

The last day of the week, being Friday, Dr. Anne Odoh, Head of Department, Design and New Media at PAU School of Media and Communication, delved into E-commerce: Business and Revenue Models where she gave case studies of revenue models that was adopted by a Canadian paper that became a model adopted by others. 

Exploring Data-driven Solutions at KPMG
One of the highlights of the week was the day spent at KPMG Insight Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. The goal was to provide the cohort with better understanding of how technology and data analytics are instrumental in driving modern business operations.

Renowned for its pioneering role in leveraging data to drive business strategies, KPMG team showed the cohort how it evolved from an audit firm into tech-driven solutions leader that helps large and small businesses to harness the power of data for informed decision-making.

According to Jumoke Ademola, the Insights Centre Manager at KPMG, “Data is the new currency. Our centre is dedicated to equipping businesses with the insights they need to thrive in a data-driven world.” 

Harping on the integration of technology and data-driven solutions, she said posited that businesses are transformed, while reiterating the importance of data in strategic business operations.

Immersive Experience at Huawei 

Also visited was Huawei office and Bruce Jiadong, Huawei’s Account Manager, immersed the fellows in the world of technology and 5G with the mind blowing fact that currently, China boasts of the world’s largest 5G mobile market with researchers already on the move to explore 6G given that China Unicom and Huawei have already deployed a pilot 5.5G network in Beijing this January.

Harping on the eco-friendly nature of the 5G, he elucidated on the importance of prioritising ICT and technology if any nation wants to deepen its developmental process. 

Also, with its partnership with MTN, the goal is to speedily improve the digital landscape and as Public Relations Manager MTN Nigeria, Dr. Lakinbofa Goodluck put it, the Industry is really important, reason why MTN has risen in response to accelerate digital inclusion by connecting the unconnected.