MTN Nigeria, in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), has commenced second edition of MTN Media Innovation Programme (MTN-MIP-2) with 20 professionals.

The programme is part of the telecoms company’s drive to provide learning opportunities for best practices in the industry.

MTN said of the almost 3,000 media professionals that applied, 20 eventually scaled through from all genres.

The six-week-long programme, spread across six months, would provide participants with comprehensive training on utilising technology to create impactful media content.

By embracing innovation and equipping practitioners with advanced tools and techniques, MIP is to foster sustainability and drive excellence within the industry. Chief Corporate Officer, MTN, Tobechukwu Okigbo, said the fellowship was conceived in 2021 when the company planned its 20 years anniversary.

The earlier plan was to celebrate the milestone with a party, hosting celebrities.

However, the company took a different direction when the idea was pitched by a media professional and its communications team.

MTN has committed to sponsor the programme for the next three years. The fellows would also travel and participate in cross-country learning with media professionals in South Africa.

The first cohort kicked off and graduated in 2022. The current cohort will be graduating in November this year.

Dean, School of Media and Communication, PAU, Ikechukwu Obiaya, said the programme became necessary due to technology revolution that has seen anyone with a mobile device becoming an information distributor or a citizen journalist.

The goal is to help practitioners get a better understanding of the nature of the industry and properly disseminate information that benefits society at large, he added.