The Media Integrity Initiative Africa (MIIA) has successfully concluded its February 2026 Free Quarterly Online Training Programme, reaffirming the growing demand for continuous professional development in Nigeria’s media and communication sector.
The two-day training, held on Saturday, 14 February and Saturday, 21 February, brought together 181 registered participants, including 156 first-time attendees and 25 returning professionals, underscoring what university lecturer and former media executive, Dr Tony Onyima is described as “a living community of professionals who believe that learning never truly ends.”
Delivering the opening remarks at the fourth MIIA training session, Dr. Onyima, former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Newspapers and former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Anambra State – emphasised that continuous learning is no longer optional in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.
“In an era where information moves at the speed of light and technology reshapes our profession almost daily, standing still is no longer an option,” he stated. “Learning must become a habit – not an event.”
A Diverse and Expanding Learning Community
Participants joined from multiple states across Nigeria and beyond, reflecting the borderless opportunities created by digital platforms. The cohort featured journalists, editors, lecturers, public servants, CEOs, content creators, communication professionals, and students – spanning first-degree holders to PhD graduates.
According to MIIA’s registration data, the gender distribution stood at approximately 60% male and 40% female, reinforcing the Initiative’s commitment to inclusive participation in media capacity-building.
Dr. Onyima highlighted the importance of this diversity: “Learning is not determined by titles or qualifications. It is determined by mindset. The most dangerous professional in the digital age is not the one who lacks experience – but the one who refuses to learn.”
Addressing Critical Industry Challenges
The February cohort focused on four key areas shaping contemporary media practice:
● The Legal Limits of Journalism (by Richard Akinnola)
● Understanding Disinformation & Fact-Checking Skills (by Lekan Otufodunrin)
● Media Power, Conflict-Sensitive Reporting & Responsibility (Lanre Arogundade)
● Mastering the Dynamics of Celebrity Reporting (Michael Effiong James)
The popularity of modules on conflict-sensitive reporting, disinformation, and media law reflected urgent industry concerns around misinformation, legal risks, digital disruption, and declining public trust.
Dr. Onyima noted that today’s journalist must function as more than a reporter: “You are a fact-checker, a data interpreter, a digital publisher, a community builder, and sometimes even a crisis manager.”
He warned that misinformation can spread globally within minutes, and that a single professional error can damage years of credibility – making continuous training essential for safeguarding public trust.
Renewing Commitment to Excellence
MIIA described the February training as a strong start to its 2026 quarterly calendar, building on the success of previous cohorts in 2025.
In its closing statement, the Initiative reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing ethical, innovative, and impact-driven African media professionals through accessible online learning.
“Programmes like this allow media professionals to pause, reflect, retool, and refine their skills,”
Dr. Onyima concluded. “The digital age rewards those who keep learning – and leaves behind those who stop.”
About MIIA: The Media Integrity Initiative Africa (MIIA) is a professional development platform dedicated to strengthening ethical standards, innovation, and responsibility in African media practice through free quarterly online training programmes.
With the successful conclusion of its February 2026 cohort, MIIA has announced that preparations are already underway for the May 2026 Quarterly Online Training Programme.
Building on the strong participation and engagement recorded in the first quarter, the Initiative aims to expand its reach and deepen its focus on emerging issues shaping media credibility, innovation, and ethical responsibility across Africa. Registration details will be announced in the coming weeks.
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS:
Richard Akinnola – Veteran Journalist, Editor & currently Executive Director, Media Law Centre, Abuja
Lekan Otufodunrin – Former Punch Political Editor, Former Managing Editor at the Nation,
Executive Director at Media Career Development Network, Lagos.
Lanre Arogundade – Veteran Journalist, Ex Features Editor (Concord & Vanguard), currently Executive Director, International Press Centre, Lagos Michael Effiong James – Society Editor at Fame Weekly, Editor at Encomium Magazine. Editor at Ovation International, COO at Ovation Media Group, Currently Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom Governor
THE MOTIVATORS:
Azubuike Ishiekwene – Former Editor/Executive Director at Punch Newspaper, Senior Vice
Chairman/Editor-In-Chief at Leadership Media Group, Abuja
Tony Onyima, PhD, fNGE – Former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief at Sun Newspapers, ex-Commissioner for Information, Culture & Tourism, Anambra State; Visiting Senior Lecturer at Paul University, Awka.