A former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun newspapers, Dr. Tony Onyima has emphasised that continuous learning is no longer optional in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.
This is as the Media Integrity Initiative Africa (MIIA) has announced the conclusion its February 2026 free quarterly online training, reaffirming the growing demand for continuous professional development in Nigeria’s media and communication sector. It was the fourth edition of the training session.
Onyima, who is also a former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun newspapers and a former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, who now teaches at teaches at Paul University, Awka, the Anambra State capital, said: ‘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. Learning must become a habit, not an event’.
With 60% of the participants male, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to inclusive participation in media capacity-building, Onyima highlighted the importance of the 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’.
According to a statement at the weekend by MIIA Coordinator, Mr. Femi Akintunde-Johnson, the two-day training 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 described as ‘a living community of professionals who believe that learning never truly ends’.
Participants joined from several states across the country 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.
The February cohort focused on four key areas shaping contemporary media practice:
- The Legal Limits of Journalism (by Richard Akinnola, a seasoned journalist, editor and now Executive Director of Media Law Centre, Abuja)
- Understanding Disinformation and Fact-Checking Skills (by Lekan Otufodunrin, former PUNCH Political Editor, former Managing Editor at The Nation, Executive Director at Media Career Development Network, Lagos)
- Media Power, Conflict-Sensitive Reporting and Responsibility (Lanre Arogundade, renowned journalist, ex Features Editor of Concord and Vanguard newspapers and now Executive Director, International Press Centre, Lagos)
- Mastering the Dynamics of Celebrity Reporting (Michael Effiong James, Society Editor at Fame Weekly, Editor at Encomium magazine. Editor at Ovation International, COO at Ovation Media Group, and currently Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor)
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.
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 said.
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.
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. The digital age rewards those who keep learning – and leaves behind those who stop’, Onyima further said.
MIIA has announced preparations 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.
MIIA is a professional development platform dedicated to strengthening ethical standards, innovation, and responsibility in African media practice through free quarterly online training programmes.
