MTN Nigeria has extended the application deadline for the fifth edition of its Media Innovation Programme to Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The programme is a six-month, fully funded fellowship designed for media professionals and digital content creators across Nigeria.
The extension was announced in a statement on Wednesday signed by MTN Nigeria’s Public Relations Manager, Lakinbofa Goodluck.
According to the company, the extension is intended to give more qualified media practitioners the opportunity to apply for the highly competitive programme.
“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 said.
MTN Nigeria also announced that the 2026 cohort will admit 25 fellows, an increase from the 20 participants selected in previous editions.
The company said the expansion is part of activities marking its 25th anniversary of operations in Nigeria.
“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 added.
According to the firm, the initiative demonstrates a deliberate effort to support a vibrant and independent media industry that continues to evolve alongside the digital economy.
The programme was launched in 2022 in partnership with the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University.
Over time, it has grown into one of Africa’s notable media capacity-building initiatives.
Participants undergo academic sessions at the university while also engaging in industry-focused learning and an international study visit to South Africa.
The visit includes sessions at the University of Johannesburg and interactions with leaders in media, business and policy.
MTN Nigeria said the programme equips participants with the knowledge, tools and networks needed to innovate and lead in a rapidly changing media and technology environment.
Since its inception, the fellowship has built a growing alumni network across Nigeria’s media industry, with several past participants moving into senior roles, launching new media platforms and contributing to public discourse across print, broadcast and digital media.
The programme is open to professionals working across print, electronic, digital and social media.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong commitment to innovation, impactful storytelling and continuous professional development.
Shortlisted candidates will undergo a rigorous selection process before the successful fellows begin the programme in May 2026.
Applications can be submitted through the School of Media and Communication website.
MTN Nigeria currently connects more than 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.
