The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya Abdullahi, has lauded the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship (PYCF) for nurturing the next generation of media and communication professionals, describing the initiative as a vital investment in the future of journalism in Nigeria.

Abdullahi gave the commendation at the graduation ceremony of the 2026 Abuja Cohort of the fellowship held at the newly commissioned PRNigeria Academy in Lugbe, Abuja. The academy was donated by the Founder of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, to support the training of young journalists and communication professionals.

Ten young Nigerians graduated from the Abuja centre after completing a two-week intensive residential programme designed to equip participants with practical skills in journalism, public relations, strategic communication, fact-checking, digital media and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

The NUJ President commended Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential and Spokespersons Digest, for sustaining the fellowship and urged stronger collaboration with the union to expand the number of beneficiaries annually.

He described mentorship as indispensable to the growth of journalism and encouraged the graduates to become professionals whose work would advance national development.

“You must understand your purpose, create value and develop innovations that promote national interest, security and unity. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we all have a responsibility to contribute positively to its development,” Abdullahi said.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, Alhaji Yushau A. Shuaib, disclosed that the 2026 edition attracted 691 applications from across the country, with only 30 candidates selected—10 each for the Abuja, Kano and Ilorin centres.

He explained that the fellowship was established to bridge the gap between academic training and the practical demands of modern journalism and strategic communication.

“The fellowship is designed to bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and practical communication skills. Many graduates possess theoretical knowledge but lack practical competence in editing, proofreading, news gathering, fact-checking and other core aspects of journalism,” he said.

According to Shuaib, participants also received training in investigative and development journalism, crisis communication, multimedia storytelling and emerging technologies transforming the media landscape.

He noted that the programme places particular emphasis on the responsible application of artificial intelligence, equipping participants with the skills to use AI tools ethically, detect misinformation and improve the quality and credibility of their reports.

Shuaib urged the graduates to embrace continuous learning, collaboration and innovation, stressing that success in today’s communication industry depends on the willingness to read, learn, relearn and adapt to emerging realities.

He also advised young Nigerians to deploy social media responsibly, describing digital platforms as powerful tools for promoting patriotism, national development and constructive public discourse rather than gossip and misinformation.

The IMPR chief executive said the fellowship, now in its third year, has continued to expand through the support of clients, partners and stakeholders who recognise the importance of developing ethical and competent communication professionals.

He revealed that the programme, which initially operated on a non-residential basis, had become fully residential following support from stakeholders, with similar facilities already established in Kano while plans were underway to extend the initiative further.

According to him, eligibility for the fellowship requires applicants to be graduates below the age of 30 who have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

Chairman of Wonderland Television, Alhaji Ismaila Sani, described the fellowship as a valuable platform for networking, knowledge sharing and professional growth.

He encouraged the graduates to remain creative, embrace lifelong learning and adapt to the rapidly evolving communication industry, assuring them of continued support from Image Merchants.

Also speaking, the 2025 Best Fellow, Miss Oyeyemi Abolade, reflected on the demanding nature of the fellowship, noting that it required discipline, sacrifice and commitment through rigorous reading, research, writing and field assignments.

She urged the new graduates to nurture the relationships built during the programme, describing professional networks as essential for career growth and success in journalism.

Emerging as the Best Fellow of the 2026 Abuja Cohort, Mariya Bagudo described the recognition as both humbling and inspiring.

She expressed gratitude to the organisers, trainers, mentors and fellow participants for contributing to her personal and professional development, saying the fellowship had significantly strengthened her communication skills and broadened her understanding of ethical journalism and strategic communication.

Launched in 2024 by Image Merchants Promotion Limited, the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship has rapidly emerged as one of Nigeria’s most competitive media mentorship programmes. It provides fully funded residential training in journalism, public relations, crisis communication, fact-checking, multimedia storytelling and artificial intelligence, with fellows selected annually from Abuja, Kano and Ilorin. The programme continues to produce young professionals who are contributing to newsrooms, corporate communication, public relations and media organisations across the country.

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The organisers of the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship (PYCF) have closed applications for the 2026 edition, recording an overwhelming national response with 691 young Nigerians competing for just 30 fellowship slots across the programme’s three training centres in Abuja, Ilorin and Kano.

The fellowship, now in its third edition, will admit 10 participants each into the three centres for an intensive capacity-building programme designed to develop the next generation of ethical journalists, strategic communicators, public relations practitioners, fact-checkers and digital media professionals.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Arewa Media Summit in Kano, the Fellowship Coordinator, Mallam Mohammed Dahiru Lawal, described the volume and diversity of applications as a strong endorsement of the programme’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading youth communication development initiatives.

He disclosed that the applications reflected broad national participation, with candidates drawn from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, underscoring the Fellowship’s expanding reach and relevance.

According to Lawal, the majority of applicants were between 20 and 30 years old, although the Fellowship also attracted a number of older graduates seeking to strengthen their communication and leadership skills.

He noted that while male applicants accounted for the larger proportion of submissions, female participation remained impressive across several states, reflecting the programme’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion within Nigeria’s communication profession.

The Fellowship Coordinator further revealed that applicants came from every geopolitical zone, with the North-West, North-East and North-Central recording the highest number of entries.

Among the three training locations, Kano emerged as the most preferred centre, followed by Abuja and Ilorin.

Lawal said the educational backgrounds of applicants demonstrated the programme’s national appeal, with candidates possessing qualifications ranging from National Diploma (ND) and Diploma certificates to Higher National Diploma (HND), Bachelor’s degrees, Law degrees (LL.B) and various postgraduate qualifications.

The applicants also represented a wide spectrum of tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other specialised institutions across the country.

He explained that the application data would guide the selection process to ensure fairness, inclusiveness and national balance.

According to him, the final selection will be based on criteria that promote youth empowerment, gender equity, academic diversity and equitable geopolitical representation, while identifying candidates with the passion and potential to become future leaders in journalism, public relations and strategic communication.

Lawal noted that this year’s Fellowship is themed “Ethical Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” reflecting the growing need to equip young professionals with the skills required to navigate artificial intelligence, digital disruption, misinformation and emerging communication technologies.

He added that successful fellows will undergo intensive training featuring expert-led masterclasses, practical newsroom and communication assignments, mentorship sessions, institutional visits and professional networking opportunities designed to prepare them for careers in the rapidly evolving media and communication landscape.

The PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship, organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria, has earned national and international recognition, including being shortlisted for the 2025 SABRE African PR Awards. The initiative has also received support from the MacArthur Foundation, Professor Pantami Foundation and donation of training facility in Lugbe Abuja by the founder of Maryam Abacha University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Prof Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo further reinforcing its credibility as a platform for nurturing young communication professionals in Nigeria.

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APPLICATION FORM HERE: https://cutt.ly/Jt4bLVS6

Applications have opened for the 2026 PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship (YCF), a flagship youth‑development programme designed to train the next generation of ethical journalists, strategic communicators and media professionals in Nigeria.

Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR)—publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, Spokespersons Digest, Tech Digest and other platforms—announced that entries for the third edition of the fellowship opened on June 21, with training scheduled to run from August to October 2026 across PRNigeria Centres in Abuja, Kano and Ilorin.

The programme will admit 30 young Nigerians, selecting 10 fellows per centre for an intensive, practice‑driven training cycle. The fellowship has earned recognition from the SABRE Africa Awards and benefitted from a MacArthur Foundation‑supported initiative.

This year’s theme, “Ethical Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” reflects rising concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, synthetic media and the ethical dilemmas posed by rapidly evolving digital technologies.

According to IMPR, the fellowship aims to equip young Nigerians with the skills to navigate an increasingly complex information ecosystem while upholding truth, accuracy and public accountability.

The Coordinator of PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal, described the programme as one of Nigeria’s leading youth‑focused media capacity‑building initiatives since its launch in 2024. He said it was created to bridge the widening generational gap in the communication industry by exposing young talents to real‑world newsroom environments, mentorship and hands‑on professional experience.

“With the older generation gradually retiring, it is essential for young, talented Nigerians to be prepared to take over leadership in the media and communication industry. This fellowship provides that platform—not merely through classroom sessions, but through practical assignments, mentorship and direct exposure to professional practice,” Shuaib said.

The two‑week intensive programme will feature expert‑led masterclasses, newsroom simulations, institutional visits, media production exercises, mentorship sessions and a public showcase of fellows’ projects. Participants will engage with journalists, media lawyers, PR practitioners, government spokespersons, OSINT analysts, fact‑checkers and communication scholars.

Fellows will receive verified digital portfolios, certificates of completion and automatic membership in the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship Alumni Network, which offers continued mentorship and professional development.

The fellowship is open to Nigerian citizens aged 20 to 30 from any discipline. Prior media experience is not required.

Applications close on July 6, 2026, with shortlisted candidates to be notified by mid‑July.

Established by IMPR, the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship forms part of broader efforts to promote media literacy, ethical communication, fact‑checking, strategic public relations and youth leadership development in Nigeria’s evolving information landscape.

For details and application form Visit: fellowship.prnigeria.com

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