NUJ, NAWOJ, Premium Times, MacArthur Foundation Back Daily Trust Journalism Academy

Stakeholders pledge support for ethical reporting, digital skills and professional development

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Premium Times and MacArthur Foundation have thrown their weight behind the newly launched Daily Trust Foundation (DTF) Journalism Academy, describing it as a timely intervention to strengthen ethical journalism, combat misinformation and rebuild public confidence in the media.

At the launch of the academy on Tuesday, representatives of the four organisations stressed the need for continuous professional development, rigorous fact-checking and improved newsroom practices to enable journalists to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving media landscape.

The stakeholders commended the Daily Trust Foundation for creating an accessible training platform designed to bridge professional skills gaps, improve digital competence and promote accountability in journalism.

Representing the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, Comrade Rosemary described the initiative as timely and necessary amid the proliferation of fake news and growing concerns about professional standards.

She praised the Foundation for developing an accessible and well-tailored programme that would enable journalists to improve their skills and strengthen their professional capacity.

The NUJ representative pledged the council’s partnership with the Foundation in promoting ethical standards and professional excellence, urging journalists to take advantage of the training opportunities offered by the academy.

Similarly, the Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Comrade Bassey Ita-Ikpang, represented by Princess Joy Idam, pledged the association’s support for the initiative, promising to mobilise women journalists to participate in the programme.

Idam said NAWOJ would publicise the academy and encourage its members to enrol, particularly while the training remained free.

She described the initiative as an opportunity for journalists to sharpen their reporting skills, adapt to emerging digital demands and strengthen their commitment to responsible journalism.

The support from the two professional bodies underscores the importance of collaboration between training institutions and media associations in raising standards across the industry.

Premium Times Advocates Continuous Learning

Publisher of Premium Times, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, described the academy as a timely response to the changing demands of journalism, noting that formal education alone could no longer adequately prepare practitioners for the complexities of modern newsrooms.

He emphasised the importance of continuous training and practical experience, pledging Premium Times’ continued partnership with the Daily Trust Foundation.

Olorunyomi expressed optimism that the academy would broaden access to professional learning and help journalists meet the demands of a digital-first media environment.

In his keynote address, Premium Times Editor-in-Chief, Musikiliu Mojeed, challenged journalists to continually update their knowledge, verify information and maintain strict ethical standards in their pursuit of accountability.

He warned that the determination to expose wrongdoing must not lead journalists to publish unverified allegations or compromise the standards of evidence required for credible reporting.

Mojeed also urged media organisations to make learning an integral part of newsroom culture through mentorship, knowledge-sharing sessions and constructive feedback.

He called on media owners to provide reporters with the resources and time needed to conduct thorough investigations, stressing that quality journalism depends on both professional competence and adequate institutional support.

MacArthur Foundation Highlights Sustainability

Representing the MacArthur Foundation, Janet Gbam congratulated the Daily Trust Foundation on the launch, describing the academy as an opportunity to sustain investment in professional journalism beyond grant-funded programmes.

She highlighted the connection between credible information, public trust and good governance, emphasising the importance of strengthening the media’s capacity to inform citizens accurately and hold institutions accountable.

The academy builds on lessons drawn from the Daily Trust Foundation’s implementation of multi-year grants supported by the MacArthur Foundation. According to DTF Chairman, Malam Bilya Bala, those experiences exposed gaps in investigative journalism, specialised reporting, newsroom collaboration and digital skills.

Bala said the new initiative would consolidate previous capacity-building efforts while expanding access to structured professional training.

He disclosed that the Foundation’s earlier programmes had benefited more than 2,000 participants from media organisations and civil society groups, with training covering investigative journalism, education, energy, banking, agriculture, natural resources, crime and security, oil and gas, national budgeting and media management.

Digital Academy Opens New Learning Opportunities

A major component of the initiative is the DTF Digital Academy, an online learning platform available at dtfacademy.com.ng.

The platform allows participants to learn at their own pace, undertake assessments and earn certificates upon successful completion of courses.

Beyond online learning, the Foundation plans to organise specialised workshops, webinars, conferences and public forums, while strengthening partnerships with academic institutions, media organisations and development partners.

The Programme Director of the Daily Trust Foundation, Dr Theophilus Abbah, urged media owners and platform managers to encourage their reporters to enrol, noting that the training would enhance their capacity to produce accurate, credible and valuable reports.

He expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to strengthening public confidence in journalism by equipping practitioners with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver quality reporting.

With the backing of professional journalism bodies, a leading digital news organisation and an international development foundation, the DTF Journalism Academy is set to provide an expanded platform for professional learning, ethical reporting and digital capacity-building.

For the NUJ and NAWOJ, the initiative presents an opportunity to strengthen journalists’ professional standards; for Premium Times, it reinforces the importance of continuous newsroom learning; and for the MacArthur Foundation, it offers a pathway to sustaining journalism development beyond individual grant programmes.

The collective message from the stakeholders was clear: credible journalism requires continuous learning, strong ethical principles, institutional support and a shared commitment to serving the public interest.