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Nigerian Journalist Returns to Classroom, Reimagines Role in Media Innovation Program
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Nigerian Journalist Returns to Classroom, Reimagines Role in Media Innovation Program

From Premium Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A Nigerian journalist returned to the classroom 13 years after completing her Master's degree for the MTN Media Innovation Programme.
  • The program challenges media practitioners to rethink journalism practices in Nigeria.
  • The experience has been humbling, forcing the journalist to unlearn and relearn concepts while balancing studies with motherhood and work.

Jayne Augoye, a journalist with PREMIUM TIMES, has returned to the classroom for the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) at Pan-Atlantic University, six months after starting the six-week residential course. Thirteen years after earning her Master's degree, Augoye finds herself immersed in a program designed to stretch media practitioners' minds and challenge the status quo of journalism in Nigeria.

It was at that point that I realised I was about to unlearn, relearn and learn all I thought I knew about media, journalism and innovation, while rediscovering what it means to remain relevant in a rapidly changing media landscape.

— Jayne AugoyeThe journalist described her realization about the transformative nature of the media innovation program.

Her return to academia, after raising triplets and managing a demanding editorial career, presented a significant adjustment. Augoye initially expected familiar concepts but was instead met with a profound challenge to her assumptions about journalism, innovation, and even herself. The program has pushed her to unlearn, relearn, and discover new ways to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Standout modules for Augoye include "Innovation and the Future of Legacy Media," "Media Entrepreneurship and Product Thinking," and "Creativity and Design Thinking." These courses have fostered a significant mindset shift, reminding her that journalists are not just reporters but also storytellers, innovators, problem-solvers, and product thinkers. The experience has broadened her perspective beyond her immediate field.

It has been mind-blowing, literally opening my eyes to see beyond my immediate field of vision and reminding me that we are not just journalists but are storytellers, innovators, problem-solvers and product thinkers.

— Jayne AugoyeAugoye reflected on the mindset shift and expanded understanding of the journalistic role gained from the program.

Becoming a student again after over 16 years in the profession has been a humbling experience. Augoye, accustomed to making news judgments and mentoring younger reporters, now finds herself taking notes alongside Gen Z practitioners and industry leaders. Balancing motherhood, her editorial responsibilities at PREMIUM TIMES, and her studies has been both challenging and deeply rewarding, offering a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth.

After more than 16 years in journalism, making news judgements and mentoring younger reporters, I found myself back in a classroom taking notes, learning alongside Gen Z media practitioners, content creators and veteran newsroom leaders, asking questions and occasionally admitting, “I don’t know,” while exclaiming, “Wow!” now and then.

— Jayne AugoyeShe described the humbling experience of returning to academia and learning from a diverse group of peers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Premium Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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