🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
MTN Nigeria extends application deadline for Media Innovation Programme to April 25, 2026
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
MTN Nigeria has extended the application deadline for the fifth edition of its Media Innovation Programme MIP to Saturday, April 25, 2026. This six-month, fully funded program is designed for media professionals and digital content creators across Nigeria. The extension, announced by MTN Nigeria’s Public Relations Manager, Lakinbofa Goodluck, aims to provide more opportunities for qualified individuals to apply for the competitive program. The 2026 cohort will admit 25 fellows, an increase from 20 in previous editions, coinciding with MTN Nigeria's 25th anniversary of operations in the country. Launched in 2022 in partnership with the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, the MIP combines academic sessions with industry engagements and an international study visit to South Africa, including sessions at the University of Johannesburg. The program equips participants with knowledge, tools, and networks for leadership and innovation in the media and technology landscape. It is open to practitioners in print, electronic, digital, and social media, who must demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, impactful storytelling, and continuous professional development. Shortlisted candidates will undergo a rigorous selection process, with successful applicants commencing the program in May 2026. Applications are available through the School of Media and Communication website. MTN Nigeria, part of the MTN Group, connects over 87.3 million subscribers.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, received a donation of protective gear from the United States-based organization Signal 63 Ministries, facilitated by the Fundamental Baptist Ministry International. The consignment was presented at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Mr. Bill Graham of Signal 63 Ministries and Rev. and Mrs. Philemon Sidi of the Fundamental Baptist Ministry International facilitated the donation. Disu commended their efforts, stating the donation is a critical intervention to enhance the safety and operational confidence of frontline personnel. He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to equipping officers for effective service delivery, emphasizing that the well-being of personnel is non-negotiable and a cornerstone of building a more resilient and professional police force.
Must ReadA new report by climate rights groups, including Greenpeace, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, and GroundWork, indicates that South Africa risks up to 32,000 premature deaths between 2026 and 2050 if the phase-out of coal plants is delayed. This delay is attributed to the government’s updated decommissioning dates, which allow some of the 14 coal-fired power plants to operate until 2050. Coal currently supplies 80 percent of South Africa’s power and employs over 90,000 people, making decommissioning a contentious issue. The report projects that Gauteng province, despite having no state-owned coal plants, could experience 15,000 deaths due to transboundary pollution. Cynthia Moyo, a climate campaigner at Greenpeace, highlighted that pollution travels and does not remain localized. The delay is also expected to impact children's health, potentially causing 41,000 pre-term births, 17,000 new cases of childhood asthma, and 370 deaths among children under five. Residents of Middelburg in Mpumalanga shared experiences of air pollution effects, including early-onset asthma and skin diseases. The report estimates the economic cost of the delay at 721 billion rand $38 billion, accounting for lost working days and increased strain on the public healthcare system. South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized nation, signed a Just Energy Transition Partnership JETP deal in 2021 to transition from coal, but this process has faced internal government disputes.
Nigeria's ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, has died at the age of 50. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced his death, stating he passed away in Ankara, Türkiye, in the early hours of April 19, 2026, after a protracted illness. Lele, a career diplomat, was the Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and had recently been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as ambassador-designate to Algeria, following Senate confirmation. Born in Gamawa, Bauchi State, in 1976, he studied Economics at Bayero University, Kano, and served in Nigerian missions in Berlin, Lomé, and Riyadh. The ministry described him as a dedicated officer known for his intellectual depth, strategic insight, and commitment to Nigeria’s foreign policy. Permanent Secretary Dunoma Umar Ahmed received his remains in Abuja, calling him a hardworking and humble officer. Lele was buried on Wednesday in Kano according to Islamic rites. The ministry extended condolences to his family, associates, and the government and people of Bauchi State.
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced the costs for its presidential and governorship nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 general elections. The presidential form is priced at ₦51m, and the governorship form at ₦21m. Umar Bature, the PDP National Organising Secretary of this faction, released a timetable detailing these fees and the electoral schedule. The expression of interest form for all positions costs ₦1m. Nomination fees are ₦2m for State Houses of Assembly, ₦3m for House of Representatives, ₦5m for Senate, ₦20m for governorship, and ₦50m for presidential aspirants. The sale of forms will run from April 27 to May 4, with a submission deadline of May 9. Screening for State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship aspirants is set for May 11, and for presidential aspirants on May 12. The presidential primary is scheduled for May 18, and governorship primaries for May 27. House of Representatives primaries are on May 21, Senate primaries on May 23, and State Houses of Assembly primaries between May 21 and May 24. Appeals are to conclude by May 30, 2026. Female aspirants will only pay the expression of interest fee. The PDP is currently divided into two factions, with ongoing court cases, and the Supreme Court is expected to communicate a judgment date to the parties.