The U.S. Mission in Nigeria, in partnership with Channels Academy, recently organized a speaker program focused on Journalism Innovation and Sustainable Media Business. This event took place from May 4-10 in Abuja and Lagos, gathering nearly 100 CEOs from prominent Nigerian media outlets. The initiative aimed to equip these leaders with skills to refine business models, explore new revenue strategies, and enhance audience engagement.
During the opening of the program in Abuja, U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills, Jr. emphasized the crucial role of media in supporting democracy. He stated: “A free and independent press is the backbone of any strong democracy. I’m grateful to be here with you as we work together to shape a more resilient future for media in this country.”
Led by former media executive Stacia Philips, the program fostered collaboration among participants who shared best practices and established professional networks. Philips highlighted that there is no universal solution for adapting media business models but encouraged innovation and technology use.
Through various sessions including panel discussions and breakout groups, Philips discussed how independent news outlets can cultivate innovation cultures, optimize operations, attract talent, and diversify income streams for sustainability.
Participants left the workshops inspired by collaboration ideas such as pooled coverage and joint content distribution to expand their reach while maintaining quality.
Philips expressed her enthusiasm about engaging with Nigerian media leaders: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... I am thrilled to see how this newfound energy and cooperation will shape the future for all of Nigeria.”
Channels Academy General Manager Kingsley Uranta stressed the importance of collaboration and adaptability amid evolving challenges in the media landscape. He appreciated the U.S. Mission's support: “In these challenging times... Channels Academy will continue to lead the charge in empowering media leaders.”
The U.S. Mission supports numerous initiatives like workshops and exchanges both locally and internationally to advance independent journalism. They look forward to witnessing further growth within Nigeria’s dynamic media sector.