MTN Nigeria celebrated outstanding alumni of its Media Innovation Programme (MIP) at an MIP Award Night held at the MTN Event Centre, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, last Sunday.
The MTN – MIP Alumni Award brought together fellows, media professionals, innovators, and industry stakeholders to recognise impactful storytelling, innovation, and contributions to media development across Africa.
The Social Impact Story of the Year award, with a ₦1 million prize, was presented to Sub-Editor and Head of Standards at HumAngle Media, Johnstone Kpilaakaa, for his report, “What’s Left of Benue State’s Deserted Communities?”
The story was recognised for spotlighting the realities of displacement and abandoned communities in Benue State, drawing attention to pressing humanitarian and social issues.
For her report, “360 Tbps at the Shore, Buffering Inland: Why Nigeria’s Broadband Promise Remains Unfulfilled,” Head of Tech Desk at BusinessDay, Royal Ibeh, received the Digital Storyteller of the Year award with ₦1 million prize and a one-year MTN internet subscription.
The report stood out for its examination of the disconnect between Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure ambitions and the internet realities experienced by millions of Nigerians.
Recognition for MIP Fellow of the Year went to Broadcast Journalist and News Anchor at Silverbird Television, Victory Wilson, for her contributions to mental health advocacy, youth engagement, and purpose-driven storytelling. Through broadcasting and public conversations centred on emotional wellbeing, Wilson has continued to use media as a tool for social impact and awareness. She was awarded ₦1.5 million prize.
The Media Innovator of the Year award, regarded as the night’s top honour, was presented to News Lead at Radio Sapientia 95.3FM Onitsha, Chioma Chinyere Chukwuemeka, who also received a ₦3 million prize for Universal Multimedia Impact Resources (UMIR), an AI-powered social impact platform focused on digital safety, ethical technology education, and youth empowerment.
The initiative was recognised for combining media, technology, and education to support women, girls, and young people.
Welcoming the fifth cohort and reflecting on the growth of the programme, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, Tobe Okigbo, represented by Chineze Gbenga-Oluwatoye, described the Media Innovation Programme as a platform built on collaboration, growth, and shared impact.
“You have joined something truly special. MIP is more than a Fellowship; it is a community of people committed to learning, growth, and shaping the future of media together. For those just joining, this is your opportunity to write your own story, build meaningful connections, and maximise the experiences ahead of you. We are proud of what this programme has become, proud of the alumni who continue to make impact across the industry, and excited about the journey ahead for the new cohort.”
Launched in 2022 in partnership with the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, the Media Innovation Programme has become one of Nigeria’s leading media capacity development initiatives.
Through training, mentorship, and international exposure, the programme continues to equip journalists, broadcasters, digital creators, and media professionals with the tools needed to succeed in an increasingly digital media landscape.
