The second edition of the MIIA training programme has concluded with glowing reviews from participants across Nigeria, highlighting the event’s impact on specialised media development and professional growth.
In a statement signed by Femi Akintunde-Johnson, made available to QEDNG on Monday, organisers described the programme as “a stirring affirmation of purpose, passion and the promise of excellence.”
Held virtually between July 12 and 19, the training attracted media professionals from different parts of the country and featured a stellar line-up of facilitators drawn from the highest ranks of Nigerian journalism.
Despite network challenges and a few technical hitches, participants stayed committed throughout the sessions, fully engaging with the content and faculty.
From the opening session delivered by veteran journalist and Media Law Centre director Richard Akinnola to the closing reflections by International Press Centre executive director Lanre Arogundade, the training offered insights and access to journalistic expertise rarely found in conventional workshops.
Health journalism expert Oluyinka Shokunbi provided a widely praised session that brought clarity to the often-overlooked field of health reporting.
Azu Ishiekwene, an editor and media strategist, delivered powerful lessons on emerging models of media management.
In the second week, broadcast veteran Deji Balogun offered a masterclass that explored the evolution of Nigerian broadcasting, while journalist Yakubu Lawal wrapped up with a focused session on the intricacies of energy reporting.
Participants expressed both gratitude and constructive feedback.
Maryam Bakari celebrated the opportunity to finally grasp Nigerian media history in depth, while Amos Oladele described the experience as personally transformative.
AbdulMajeed Sulaiman praised the programme’s richness and the facilitators’ dedication.
Others like Afolabi Faramade and Ukpa Ewa Eke suggested improvements to technical delivery while still commending the overall initiative.
“If the essence of MIIA is to build bridges between veterans and visionaries, then this July’s outing will be remembered as a resounding success,” the statement read.
With the October edition already in view and a growing network of enthusiastic learners and mentors, the future of focused media training in Nigeria appears promising.
Organisers say the programme is a deliberate effort to prioritise substance over spectacle and equip journalists with skills that matter in today’s rapidly evolving media space.
“For many, it wasn’t just a training; it was a reawakening,” the statement concluded.
