Twenty Nigerian media professionals and digital creators have set off on a week-long study trip to South Africa as part of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP). The initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s media ecosystem by promoting learning, exposure, and collaboration.

Read more: MTN MIP Fellows Embark on Study Trip to South Africa

Launched in 2022 in partnership with the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, the MIP equips media practitioners with skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving media and technology landscape. This year, the programme is supported by South African Airways and offers Fellows the chance to engage with top South African media institutions, government officials, and members of the Nigerian High Commission.

During the trip, Fellows will participate in classroom sessions at the University of Johannesburg, learning engagements at the South African Institute of International Affairs, and interactive sessions at the University of the Witwatersrand. The itinerary also includes visits to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), meetings with senior government officials, and an industry visit to MTN Group Headquarters in Johannesburg.

Before departure, the Fellows visited the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos, where Director General Prof. Eghosa Osaghae encouraged them to approach the programme with a critical and informed perspective. “Study South Africa’s history, politics, and media not as outsiders, but as continental peers,” he advised.

Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, also addressed the Fellows, emphasizing the importance of interpreting societal and technological shifts through storytelling. “The Africa we want can only be built when we connect the dots and tell the stories that matter,” he said.

For the Fellows, the programme represents more than academic learning. It is an opportunity to broaden their understanding of media best practices, foster cross-border collaboration, and situate African narratives in a continental context. “We are grateful to MTN for this career-transforming experience. It is an incredible chance to learn, grow, and connect with peers across Africa,” said Adeyemi Adebayo, Class President of Cohort 4.

Since its inception, the MTN Media Innovation Programme has trained 80 Fellows and continues to build a vibrant alumni network dedicated to ethical practice, innovation, and public interest storytelling. The 2025 study trip underscores MTN Nigeria’s commitment to fostering dialogue, collaboration, and sustainable capacity development across Africa.