{
  "id": 153762,
  "title": "Reporter’s diary: Three months inside PAU’s classroom for future of journalism",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/reporters-diary-three-months-inside-paus-classroom-for-future-of",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-05T00:14:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/reporters-diary-three-months-inside-paus-classroom-for-future-of-journalism/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Sunday, May 17, 2026, a diverse group of 25 Nigerian journalists convened at MTN Nigeria's headquarters in Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, for the commencement of the fifth cohort of the company's Media Innovation Programme (MIP). The attendees represented a variety of backgrounds, including print reporters, broadcasters, digital journalists, content creators, and media entrepreneurs, all navigating the rapidly changing landscape of Nigeria's media industry. Many of the journalists had only interacted through their respective platforms prior to this event, providing an invaluable opportunity for networking and collaboration.\n\nThe five-month MIP programme commenced with a series of academic sessions held at Pan-Atlantic University, a private institution situated along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos. The cohort embarked on their daily 45-minute journey from the MTN headquarters in Ikoyi to the resort and golf community at Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate, where they would be accommodated during the programme.\n\nUpon arrival at the university, the journalists immersed themselves in a learning environment focused on innovation, technology, and the future of media. The campus, with its emphasis on professionalism and learning, stood out for its greenery, reflecting a growing awareness of sustainability in educational institutions. Pan-Atlantic University is composed of four major schools: Lagos Business School, School of Science and Technology, School of Media and Communication, and School of Management and Social Sciences. For the MIP fellows, the School of Media and Communication became their academic home.\n\nDr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, the Dean of the School of Media and Communication, delivered opening remarks on the first day of the programme. He emphasized the potential for the experience to be either a professional experience or a transformative period of self-development. Dr. Obiaya urged the participants to view the programme as an opportunity to develop cutting-edge skills and make a tangible difference in their newsrooms, organizations, and communities. He reminded them that, despite the rapid technological advancements, the foundational values of journalism remained as crucial as ever.\n\nThe MTN Nigeria Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Tobechukwu Okigbo, addressed the fellows through a recorded video message, expressing the company's privilege in welcoming the MIP Cohort 5. She highlighted the transformative potential of the programme, given the larger cohort size. Chineze Gbenga-Oluwatoye, the General Manager of Corporate Affairs at MTN Nigeria, encouraged participants to seize the opportunity, emphasizing the bravery required to embark on this journey and the potential for great achievements.\n\nAfter the opening ceremonies, the cohort ventured out of the university for a guided tour, led by a graduate intern, to explore the facilities beyond the classroom. The tour underscored the university's practical approach to learning, with state-of-the-art laboratories designed to provide hands-on experience in addition to theoretical instruction. This immersive environment served to reinforce the importance of applying knowledge in real-world contexts, inspiring curiosity and a renewed sense of learning.",
  "summary": "On Sunday, May 17, 2026, 25 journalists from across Nigeria’s media landscape gathered at MTN Nigeria’s headquarters in Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, for the opening of the fifth cohort of the company’s Media Innovation Programme. The participants reflected the evolving times of the country’s media industry, a mix of print reporters, broadcasters, digital journalists, content creators Read More:…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}