Twenty Nigerian media professionals and digital creators are embarking on a week-long study trip to South Africa as part of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP). The fellowship is designed to strengthen Africa’s media ecosystem through learning, exposure, and collaboration.
Delivered in partnership with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, MIP equips practitioners with the skills to thrive in a fast-changing media and technology landscape. The programme reflects MTN Nigeria’s broader commitment to sustainability, shared value, and long-term capacity development within the media sector.
Supported this year by South African Airways, the trip will foster cross-border collaboration and deepen bilateral relations. The Fellows will engage with South African media institutions and reporters, explore storytelling innovations, participate in panel discussions, and gain fresh insights into the role of media in shaping public discourse across Africa.
The itinerary features in-class sessions at the University of Johannesburg, learning engagements at the South African Institute of International Affairs, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), as well as meetings with senior South African government officials.
Fellows will also visit the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, interact with members of the Nigerian community, and experience African culture by engaging with local people and visiting monumental sites. A highlight of the programme will be an industry visit to MTN Group Headquarters in Johannesburg.
Ahead of the trip, the Fellows visited the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, where Director General Prof. Eghosa Osaghae urged them to “see beyond the headlines” and approach the South African leg of their fellowship with a critical and informed perspective. He encouraged them to study South Africa’s history, politics, and media ecosystem not as outsiders, but as continental peers.
Dr. Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, also addressed the Fellows before departure. “Your task as media professionals is not just to report events, but to interpret the shifts happening in technology, business, and society. The Africa we want to see can only be built when we connect the dots and tell the stories that matter,” he said.
For the Fellows, this journey is more than an academic exercise; it’s a chance to broaden their understanding of global best practices, deepen their knowledge of Nigeria–South Africa relations, forge meaningful collaborations with continental peers, and situate African media narratives within a broader context. “We’re truly grateful to MTN for creating such a career-transforming programme. It’s an incredible opportunity, and we’re excited for all the learning and growth ahead,” said Adeyemi Adebayo, Class President, MTN MIP Cohort 4.
Since its launch in 2022, the MTN Media Innovation Programme has trained 60 Fellows. With the addition of the 20 members of Cohort 4, the programme now boasts 80 Fellows and a thriving alumni network dedicated to ethical practice, innovation, collaboration, and public interest storytelling. The 2025 study trip, supported by South African Airways, further strengthens this vision and underscores MTN Nigeria’s role in fostering dialogue and cooperation across Africa.
