Encomium
MTN Nigeria has opened applications for the 2026 Media Innovation Programme (MIP), a fellowship that has steadily become one of the country’s most watched media capacity-building initiatives. The new edition comes with an expanded bigger cohort, a clear application window, and a webinar set for 17 April 2026, giving prospective fellows applicants an opportunity to learn more before submitting their applications.
Launched in 2022 by MTN Nigeria and in partnership with Pan-Atlantic University’s School of Media and Communication, the programme is designed as a six-month , fully funded fellowship for media practitioners in Nigeria. Its purpose has remained consistent: strengthen the skills of journalists and digital content creators, help them adapt to a fast-changing media landscape, and encourage innovation in storytelling and newsroom practice.
The 2026 edition is especially notable because MTN has expanded the cohort to 25 fellows, up from 20 in previous years, to mark its 25th anniversary. That expansion signals both demand for the programme and MTN’s continued commitment to the media sector, especially at a time when newsrooms are under pressure to modernize, diversify revenue, and stay relevant to digital audiences.
Applications are open through the official MIP portal , and the deadline is 22 April 2026. The programme is open to media practitioners and digital content creators working across print, broadcast, online, and social media, with a strong emphasis on innovation, impactful storytelling, and continuous professional growth. Successful applicants are expected to begin the programme in May 2026.
A major part of this year’s rollout is the webinar scheduled for 17 April 2026. For applicants, that session is a chance to understand the programme structure, ask questions, and improve their chances of putting forward a stronger application. In a competitive opportunity like MIP, attending the webinar could be the difference between a rushed submission and a well-prepared one.
According to Tobe Okigbo, MTN Nigeria is committed to strengthening the media’s role in democracy, accountability, and national development while empowering professionals to drive impact in their industries “The Media Innovation Programme reflects our commitment to supporting the growth and evolution of the media industry by providing access to knowledge, exposure, and meaningful engagement with the realities shaping it. The expansion to 25 fellows this year is a deliberate reflection of our 25-year milestone, and a reminder that as the media industry continues to evolve, there is a continued need to invest in the people and ideas that will shape its future.”
For past fellows this programme has indeed been a life changing experienceexperience, and it can be for you.
Applications for MIP 2026 are now open.
Application Deadline: April 22, 2026
Apply here: mtnmip.smc.edu.ng
Have questions? Join the webinar:
