The School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University successfully organized a workshop titled “Media Freedom and Capacity Workshop for Journalists” at the Stratton Hotel Asokoro in Abuja from the 31st to the 2nd of January, 2024. The workshop, attended by 30 journalists, was aimed at enhancing the capacity of Nigerian journalists in various aspects related to media freedom and key thematic areas.

SMC sincerely appreciates the British High Commission Nigeria for sponsoring this capacity-building training for Nigerian journalists. Their support underscores the importance of fostering a robust and informed media landscape in Nigeria.

The workshop focused on four key themes:

1. Climate Change Issues Affecting Nigeria: This session delved into topics such as biodiversity loss, Nigeria’s energy transition, and the UK’s support to Nigeria on climate change.

2. UK-Nigeria Trade and Investment Partnership: Ahead of the UK African Investment Summit – UKAIS 2024, discussions centered around the partnership between the UK and Nigeria in trade and investment, exploring opportunities and challenges.

3. UK-Nigeria Partnerships in Education, Development, and Security: Participants gained insights into various partnerships between the UK and Nigeria in education, development, and security sectors, understanding the collaborative efforts aimed at mutual benefit.

4. Media Freedom: A critical aspect of the workshop focused on addressing disinformation/misinformation and enhancing reporting skills, emphasizing the importance of media freedom in fostering informed societies.

After the workshop, delegates were able to understand the trends in trade and investment between the UK and Nigeria over the past decades and their implications for the future, identify barriers to UK-Nigeria trade and investment in the non-oil sector, and suggest strategies to address them. Also, they were able to recognize opportunities in bilateral trade and investment relations by understanding enhancing factors and their complementary nature.

A comprehensive post-training report will be developed following the workshop, encompassing key insights, recommendations, and participant feedback. This report will serve as a valuable resource for stakeholders interested in advancing media freedom and bilateral relations between Nigeria and the UK.

The Media Freedom and Capacity Workshop for Journalists provided a platform for meaningful discourse and knowledge sharing on crucial issues impacting Nigeria’s media landscape and its partnership with the UK. We are confident that the insights gained and networks established during this workshop will contribute to fostering a vibrant and informed media ecosystem in Nigeria.