The 16th edition of the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Change Your Story workshop kicked off on Wednesday in Lagos, bringing together 32 journalists for training on digital journalism, artificial intelligence and modern storytelling.
The three day programme, themed “Re-calibrate, Create, Connect,” focuses on artificial intelligence in journalism, data visualisation, digital tools for real time reporting and ways to combat misinformation.
The workshop is led by media trainer Dan Mason and coordinated by Taiwo Obe of The Journalism Clinic.
Speaking at the opening session, Obe highlighted the broader vision behind the programme, saying the initiative aims to cultivate and mentor a new generation of journalists in Nigeria.
Reflecting on his professional journey, he recalled how he pursued an international fellowship in 2014 with the Thomson Foundation despite already having years of experience in the media industry.
“At the time, a colleague asked me what anyone could possibly teach me,” he said. “But I told him something very simple: I may not know what I do not know. I went there to learn, and I returned with valuable knowledge.”
He said the experience reinforced the need for continuous learning in journalism.
“You are never too old to learn,” he told participants, urging them to remain open minded and focus on how their work can create meaningful impact.
Many journalists, he noted, expressed a desire to produce stories that inspire positive change.
“This programme,” he assured them, “will help you achieve that goal.”
In her opening remarks, Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, manager, corporate communications and public affairs at Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) welcomed participants and reaffirmed NLNG’s commitment to supporting professional journalism through training and knowledge sharing.
“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the second edition of the NLNG Change Your Story event in 2026. This is the 16th edition of this programme since its commencement in 2014. We are glad that over 400 journalists in Nigeria have benefited from this digital skill enhancement programme. Every edition has been quite unique and rewarding for the participants. I believe this will be even more exciting and fulfilling too.
“Let me start by thanking you for your interest, and your continued partnership with us. This workshop is a demonstration of our respect for good journalism.
“As journalists, you do more than report facts. You interpret issues and help the public make sense of decisions that affect their lives. In today’s fast-changing world, that role has never been more critical, especially as your audience confronts competing socio-economic issues.
“NLNG’s goal with this workshop is to equip you with the latest knowledge, tools, and insights that make your work easier, sharper, and more impactful, leveraging your professional ethics, personal accuracy, and digital solutions.
“Over the course of this programme, you will have the opportunity to explore real-world issues that are shaping modern journalism, such as Innovative storytelling with multimedia tools, and how to combat misinformation and master digital verification.
“We have also included sessions on safety, professionalism, and leadership, because journalism can be demanding and sometimes risky. Beyond acquiring technical skills, we want to empower you to lead and stay safe.
“As we settled down to what promises to be three days of activities filled workshop, I encourage you all to be fully involved, attentive and active. I hope you find this workshop practical, inspiring, and rewarding.
“Good luck to you all.”
Providing further context, Mason introduced three guiding principles that shape the Change Your Story programme.
First, he encouraged journalists to recalibrate by reflecting on their professional direction and identifying new opportunities for growth.
“In journalism,” he observed, “standing still is not an option. If you are not moving forward, you are effectively moving backward.”
He also urged participants to create, noting that the workshop would explore storytelling techniques and digital tools that can improve newsroom productivity. Training sessions include artificial intelligence, mobile first video reporting and multimedia content production.
Finally, Mason emphasised the importance of connection.
“You will gain as much insight from your colleagues as you will from the trainers,” he said.
During the opening training session, Mason demonstrated how artificial intelligence tools can assist journalists in analysing audience behaviour, identifying trending topics and developing targeted content strategies, while reminding participants that technology cannot replace professional judgement.
The first day also featured practical sessions where participants were introduced to digital tools now shaping newsroom practice, including ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini.
The workshop follows an earlier edition held in Abuja in January where another 32 journalists received similar training.
Launched in 2014, the NLNG Change Your Story initiative has trained over 400 journalists from print, online, television and radio platforms across Nigeria, equipping them with digital communication and storytelling skills needed in the evolving media landscape.
