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

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Premium Times and MacArthur Foundation have pledged support for the newly launched Daily Trust Foundation (DTF) Journalism Academy to strengthen ethical reporting, tackle misinformation and rebuild public confidence in the media.

Representatives of the organisations made their positions known at the academy’s launch on Tuesday, emphasising the need for continuous professional training, rigorous fact-checking and improved newsroom practices to address the challenges of a rapidly evolving media landscape.

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

She commended the Foundation for developing an accessible training programme and pledged the council’s support for efforts to promote ethical journalism and professional excellence.

Rosemary urged journalists to take advantage of the academy’s training opportunities to improve their reporting skills and strengthen their professional capacity.

Similarly, Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Bassey Ita-Ikpang, represented by Princess Joy Idam, pledged the association’s support and promised to encourage women journalists to enrol.

Idam said NAWOJ would publicise the programme and mobilise its members to participate, particularly while the training remained free.

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

Premium Times Advocates Continuous Learning

Publisher of Premium Times, 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 stressed 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 expand access to professional development and help journalists meet the demands of an increasingly digital media environment.

In his keynote address, Premium Times Editor-in-Chief, Musikiliu Mojeed, urged 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 called on media organisations to make continuous learning an integral part of newsroom culture through mentorship, knowledge-sharing sessions and constructive feedback.

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

MacArthur Foundation Backs Sustainable Journalism Training

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

Chairman of the Daily Trust Foundation, Malam Bilya Bala, said the academy was established partly in response to lessons from the organisation’s implementation of multi-year grants supported by the MacArthur Foundation.

According to Bala, the programmes exposed gaps in investigative journalism, specialised reporting, newsroom collaboration and digital skills.

He said the academy would consolidate previous capacity-building efforts while expanding access to structured professional training through physical and online learning.

Bala disclosed that the Foundation’s earlier programmes had benefited more than 2,000 participants from media organisations and civil society groups.

The training covered investigative journalism, education, energy, banking, agriculture, natural resources, crime and security, oil and gas, national budgeting and media management.

Digital Platform Expands Access to Training

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 study at their own pace, complete assessments and earn certificates upon successfully completing their 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.

Programme Director of the Daily Trust Foundation, Dr Theophilus Abbah, urged media owners and platform managers to encourage their reporters to enrol in the academy.

He said the training would improve journalists’ ability to produce accurate, credible and valuable reports, thereby strengthening public confidence in the media.

The academy’s launch has attracted support from professional journalism bodies, a leading digital news organisation and an international foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening media professionalism.

The initiative is expected to expand access to continuous learning, promote ethical reporting and equip journalists with the skills required to navigate emerging digital challenges while maintaining public-interest journalism.