MTN Nigeria has extended the application deadline for the fifth edition of its Media Innovation Programme (MIP) to April 25, 2026, offering prospective applicants additional time to participate in one of the country’s leading media development initiatives.
The extension was disclosed in a statement signed by the company’s Public Relations Manager, Lakinbofa Goodluck, who said the decision was aimed at accommodating more qualified media professionals and digital content creators across Nigeria.
“The extension provides additional opportunity for qualified media professionals and digital content creators across Nigeria to apply for the highly competitive, fully funded programme, which continues to shape the future of storytelling and media innovation in Africa,” the statement read.
The MIP is a six-month fully funded fellowship targeted at practitioners across print, broadcast, digital, and social media. For the 2026 cohort, MTN Nigeria will admit 25 fellows, an increase from the 20 participants selected in previous editions.
According to the company, the expansion aligns with its 25th anniversary of operations in Nigeria, reflecting a broader commitment to strengthening the country’s media ecosystem alongside its core telecommunications business.
“As MTN Nigeria marks 25 years of connecting people, the Media Innovation Programme represents a parallel investment in the storytellers shaping how that connection is understood, experienced, and amplified across society,” the statement said. “It underscores a deliberate effort to support a vibrant, independent, and forward-looking media industry evolving alongside the digital economy.”
Launched in 2022 in partnership with the School of Media and Communication (SMC) at Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), the programme has developed into a recognised capacity-building platform for media professionals on the continent. It combines academic coursework with practical industry exposure, including an international study visit to South Africa.
Participants are exposed to sessions at the University of Johannesburg, alongside engagements with stakeholders across media, business, and policy environments. The programme is designed to equip fellows with the skills, networks, and strategic insight required to navigate an increasingly technology-driven media landscape.
“The programme equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and networks required to lead and innovate within a rapidly changing media and technology landscape,” the statement noted.
Since inception, the MIP has produced an expanding alumni network within Nigeria’s media industry, with several fellows advancing into leadership roles, launching platforms, and contributing to public discourse across multiple channels.
Applications are open via the SMC website, with shortlisted candidates expected to undergo a rigorous selection process ahead of the programme’s commencement in May 2026.
MTN Nigeria currently serves over 87.3 million subscribers and operates as part of the MTN Group, which has a presence in 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East.
